Love Made Visible with Sara and Hero

Sara Carson and Hero: The Dog Act Simon Cowell Fell in Love With – America’s Got Talent 2017

Mel B did not want to budge and threw the ball into Howie’s court. He ultimately gave the “yes” vote Sara and Hero needed. They moved on to the next round of performances as the audience, clearly on Sara and Hero’s side, booed Mel B. They affirmed that the judges should trust that Simon saw something very special in this team and knew they would prove him right.

I was touched both by Sara’s tears and Simon’s willingness to go to bat for this team he knew would make him proud. He trusted his instincts as a judge who knew what voters would also see in this dynamic duo. His love of dogs definitely helped Sara and Hero’s cause.

I have noticed over the years from watching him back when he was on “American Idol” that the tough Simon, who still can be caustic, sarcastic and sardonic, has evolved into a much kinder, gentler, and more compassionate version of his former self. Watching his journey on AGT this season and during others, I am happy to see a softer and much happier Simon. I sense this evolution is a partial result of being in a committed relationship and also being the father of a young son. Whatever is responsible for his transformation, I am grateful.

Were it not for Simon’s compassion and for seeing the incredible connection between Sara and Hero, they might never have gone on to delight audiences with their tricks and fun. All the many hours of time, work and effort they put in together to become such an amazing team would never have come to light. What is most special about them for me is their extraordinary bond of love and devotion.

Without Simon Cowell’s help, Sara and Hero might never have gone on to delight audiences with their fun performances. Photo from www.youtube.com.

Hero and Loki Excel in Canine Activities and Tricks

I so enjoyed Sara and Hero’s performances and the ones that included precious Loki too. In one segment Hero holds the jump rope in his mouth as Sara turns it on the other end while Loki is the star jumper. Hero and Loki are both wonderful at agility, bounding through tunnels and zig-zagging speedily around poles.

Sara is clearly so passionate about involving her dogs in many activities and teaching them tricks. Performing across the country as part of an animal trick and stunt company is what she has done professionally. She is also a dog trainer and someone who competes in a variety of canine competitions like canine freestyle and fly ball. Hero’s great jump at the end of one of Sara’s performances is part of another dog sport called “Dock Jumping.”

In one of their AGT performances, Hero holds a jump rope in his mouth as Sara turns it and Loki jumps so high. Photo from www.youtube.com.

I went to the internet and YouTube to learn more about Sara and her canine companions. Those of us who have watched Sara and Hero compete did not see an overnight sensation. Indeed, what we witnessed was five plus years of devotion and commitment to her passion as a dog trainer and her dedication to being a very loving guardian. I think that is part of what Simon must have seen. The others on the panel might not have known about all the many hours of training that had gone into creating that bond and all that her dogs knew to perform so well.

Sara’s Poignant Love Letter to Hero

You can get a sense of that very special bond when watching her talk to Hero while they were competing in the show. To hear her heartfelt talk and love letter to Hero, play the YouTube movie below. I like how he really perks up when she tells him what a good brother he is. I think that must be very important to him.

Hero enjoys performing and is always so upbeat and energetic. He was very patient and attentive when Sara read her love letter to him, sharing all her feelings about him. He especially liked it when he was told that he was such a good brother. 

I was so touched when I saw the video of Sara talking about when she first got Hero. To access it, click here. He was so precious. Almost from the moment they met, Sara and Hero were deeply bonded. When he was just a puppy, she spent so much time training him. There is a video showing all the tricks and behaviors she successfully taught that very smart puppy. To see all that Hero could do at a very early age, click here.

Watching the videos of Hero learn and perform so well when he was just a puppy and seeing the love that was there so strongly from the start of their relationship just affirmed the blessing of Sara and Hero — and Loki too — reaching the top five of AGT. It also affirmed for me what can happen when someone has a dream and pursues it relentlessly.

Hero, Loki and Marvel, the Super collies, as Sara calls them, changed her life in ways she never could have imagined. They transformed her heart and gave her life so much meaning and purpose.

Divine Gifts from Spirit

I think all of the dogs and cats that come to us, and the horses and other animals too, are divinely sent. They are all beautiful messengers of unconditional love. They also come to teach us lessons of the heart. Some might be challenging and some might be frustrating. And others might cause great heartache for whatever reason. And some like Hero might be the most brilliant stars. Each is meant just for us and for what we need on our path.

My first dog, Socrates, was a great teacher in my life. I allowed a veterinarian to over-vaccinate him because I didn’t know better back then. He suffered with chronic autoimmune health issues for the rest of his life as a result. Perhaps that was what was meant to happen as it led me on a path of becoming a healer for pets, wanting to learn as much as I could to help animals heal. To read my article about vaccinations, click here.

My dog Harry came to me as an eight-week-old puppy three weeks before Socrates passed. Divinely sent to be a source of unconditional love and companionship, he was also sent to help heal my heart from the loss of Socrates. With his loving presence in my life, he helped me through the passing of Socrates and of my mother, two very difficult transitions. He was my companion during our move to California and continues to be my constant companion who always cheers my heart.

My dog Harry was sent to help heal my heart and to be an unconditional source of love and light. Photo by Donna El Haber, 2011. All rights reserved.

Sara and Hero are great mirrors for so many of us who have dogs in our lives. As you think about Sara and Hero’s story, in what ways has your dog uplifted your life or changed it? How has your dog rescued you and why was he or she sent?

I just saw a beautiful story of a dog who served in the military and who came home to live with his handler and his family. When one of the children was asked why they love the chocolate lab, she replied, “Because my father never would have come back without her.” To see their poignant reunion, play the YouTube movie below.

Veteran Reunited with his Bomb-Sniffing Dog

The Power of Persistence

Sara also taught America a lot about the power of tenacity and persistence. She never gave up on her dreams. She also taught us about how fulfilling it feels to be living your passion and purpose. I wrote a blog post about this recently. You can read it here.

In honor of Sara and her dogs’ great accomplishment in getting to the top five of AGT, I would like you to join me in taking some time to reflect on how special and heroic all our dogs are. They come into our lives to offer so much healing and love. It is a veritable calling for them. Perhaps you might want to write your own love letter and read it to your dog. I know your dog will get what it says.

Sara Carson performs an amazing number with both Hero and Loki on AGT.

Every so often, I have a heart-to-heart talk with my dog Harry, sometimes with tears streaming down my face. I let him know how much I appreciate the gift he is in my life and how much he means to our family. He usually bows his head down for me to massage his neck and ears and presses in close to me. He understands well the love that is flowing between us and stops to fully take it in.

Have Fun with Your Dog

Sara also reminded those of us with dogs how much fun we can have with them when we get involved in different activities together. In my e-book, “25 Ways to Maintain a Happy and Healthy Dog,” one of the ways is to find an activity to do with your dog that he really enjoys. To learn more about my e-book, click here.

Let us honor the great and powerful gifts that our dogs are in our lives. Thank you Sara, Hero and Loki for touching the hearts of all who watched you perform. Thank you too for showing us what love made visible looks like. And thank you for being so dedicated and disciplined in following your dreams and the vision you had for your future that catapulted you into the limelight and offered so much joy to so many.

Wishing you love, healing, miracles, and so much joy and gratitude for the dogs that inspire us and uplift our lives with their grace and wisdom,

Rev. Donna El Haber