A Child’s Prayer Saved Our Tiny Puppy

Goliath was a tiny miniature cockapoo who weighed less than 2 lbs when we got him. He was born on Christmas Eve and joined our family in Terra Bella.

Isaac was about 3, and Isaiah was heading toward 2 when, after a few weeks of loving on this precious tiny angel, his stomach bloated and we frantically rushed him to a veterinarian in Porterville. A horrible report followed. Upon initial examination, the vet, offhandedly eyeballing our little sons, said, “Looks like he got kicked.” Then, after testing the stool and other cursory exams, he pronounced Goliath nearly dead from coccidia and blind.

Since we had gotten Goliath from the pet store in Visalia at the mall, we sadly drove him back with our report. Because he had a several-month guarantee, we left him with an employee in their back room in a box.

Getting into the car in the mall parking lot, little Isaac asked Dennis why we didn’t pray for Goliath and said that surely God would heal him. Thank God for the faith of a child. As we pulled out of the parking lot heading home, Dennis said, “That’s right, son. Let’s ask God to heal our little Goliath.”

Everyone prayed, asking God to spare his life and restore our new little puppy to health. We tried not to picture the sad little brown box with a puppy who could barely lift his head and looked so bad.

Early the next morning, about ten o’clock, our phone rang in Terra Bella. It was the pet store calling with a miracle report. They said, “We went home last night, locked up, and other than filling his little water dish, we honestly did not expect Goliath to make it until morning. We do not understand it, but when we opened, there he was—jumping around, no bloat, eyes clearly seeing, and completely well.”

Screaming for Dennis and the boys, we threw everyone into the car—the boys and four clients—and went to claim our little miracle.

The following morning, on Monday, we went back to the vet in Porterville, who at first accused us of bringing him a different puppy. Then he realized it was the same dog. Looking suspicious and annoyed at our joy, he muttered, “Well, I KNOW the coccidia can’t have disappeared!” One stool test later, Goliath was pronounced completely whole and well.

What a loving Father in heaven to heal our precious family pet.

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For 43 years, Dennis and Diana Nickell shared their lives, passion, and hearts. Dennis, a Vietnam Combat Veteran who dealt daily with the aftermath of his 14 months in-country, spent his later years reaching out to Veterans, their loved onesand tried to help share why you should never give up. Sept, 12th, 2021 Dennis joined his brothers in arms in heaven, who never had the chance to have the life he fought for daily, and his wife Diana still carries on the mission of educating, enlightening, and encouraging those who have paid such a heavy price for freedom. 

Dedicated to ALL, first responders, and heroes, Diana has found peace in the wealth of her family and her faith. The YouTube series Surviving Vietnam can be accessed freely at https://www.survivevietnam.com/

“Quiet Place” first appeared in Breaking Chains, written by Dennis Nickell.

All rights are reserved, for created content shared about their amazing journey, including original poetry by Diana. Feel free to contact Diana at dnickell1955@gmail.comwith any questions or concerns.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.