 |
| The Chapel is set on
150 acres on a mountain top location (Dog Mountain) in St. Johnsbury,
Vermont. On the grounds, along with the Dog Chapel, are a gift
shop/gallery, lots of trails and ponds, and wonderful art. Notice
Harley checking out the pooch that's his size. :-) |
 |
| Stephen had the good
fortune to be discovered after doing his very first woodcarving, an angel.
Then began his life as an artist. In 1994, Stephen suffered from Adult
Respiratory Distress Syndrome after falling down a flight of stairs, and
it left him in a coma for two months. The doctors were not hopeful, but
with the help of his wife, Gwen, Stephen made a full recovery. He had to
relearn everything, from how to walk to how to sign his own name.
After this near-death experience, Stephen had a vision to build a Dog
Chapel, "a place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond
they have with their dogs." He said, "It is the largest artwork
of my life and my most personal." |
 |
| Just before the
accident, Stephen had been inspired to do a series of woodcut prints based
on his dog Sally. After waking up from the coma, he immediately began work
on those woodcuts. The first woodcut he carved was "Life Is A
Ball," celebrating his new-found life. It remains one of the most
cherished and iconic of Stephen's works but this one is my favorite! |
 |
| Stephen wrote 10
books inspired by his black Lab, Sally, including My Dog's Brain and
his series of Sally books for young readers (and the young at heart):
Sally Goes to the Beach, Sally Goes to the Mountains,
Sally Goes to the Farm, Sally Goes to the Vet, Sally's
Snow Adventure, Sally Gets A Job, Sally's Great Balloon
Adventure, The Dog Chapel, and Even Bad Dogs Go to
Heaven - More from the Dog Chapel. They are all illustrated with
his vibrant woodcut prints. |
 |
| Huneck wanted this
to be a spiritual place for people to
go to grieve, heal and express their feelings openly in the Dog Chapel; a
peaceful resting spot for those seeking solace. As you enter the
Chapel, you are surrounding my photos, notes, cards and letters from
people acknowledging their deep and unending love for their dogs.
Some had even brought the ashes of their pets and left them here. As
you enter, you are greeted by a menagerie of Huneck's carved pups at the
front of the chapel. |
 |
| Harley was on high
alert while in the Chapel even though there were no other people or live
dogs there when we visited. It was as if he sensed the spirits of
many other animals in this place. |
 |
| As much as Jer and I
found the Chapel to be an incredibly peaceful place, Harley just couldn't
relax. |
