Join host Meg Grier on God and Our Dogs as she interviews Dwaine Rivers of the Rivers Team with Phyllis Browning. Dwaine shares an incredible 12-day journey of faith, persistence, and divine intervention when his daughter's Australian Shepherd, Raya, went missing on her wedding day in Bay City, Texas.

This heartwarming story demonstrates how God's fingerprints appear in unexpected places - from a traumatic storm that caused Raya to escape, to an entire community rallying together in prayer and search efforts. Despite crossing busy highways and navigating railroad tracks and canals, Raya was miraculously protected for nearly two weeks.

The turning point came through divine guidance from an animal behaviorist who advised a simple but profound approach: just sit quietly with another familiar dog. Within 10 minutes, Raya emerged from the woods, completely healthy. This powerful metaphor reminds us how God patiently waits for us, and sometimes the best way to help those who are lost is simply to be present.

Key Takeaways:

Faith and persistence in the face of overwhelming odds

The power of community support and prayer

Trusting expert guidance even when it doesn't make sense

God's protection and perfect timing

Lessons about approaching lost friends with patience and presence

About Dwaine Rivers: Real estate expert with 40+ years of experience, award-winning horseman, community leader, and devoted dog lover with the Rivers Team.

Timeline

0:00 - Introduction to God and Our Dogs podcast

1:04 - Meet Dwaine Rivers - real estate expert and dog lover

1:49 - The Rivers family: from 10 dogs down to 6

2:15 - The wedding day crisis begins

3:07 - Raya escapes during a storm in Bay City, Texas

3:54 - The groom's remarkable decision at noon

4:36 - Wedding proceeds despite the crisis

4:55 - Bay City community mobilizes in prayer and search

5:15 - Raya spotted across town - crossing railroad tracks and canals

5:58 - Animal behaviorist explains traumatized dog behavior

6:21 - 12 days of searching and divine protection

6:30 - Raya crosses 4-lane highway multiple times unharmed

7:13 - The solution: Dakota, the familiar friend dog

7:38 - Miracle moment: Raya emerges in less than 10 minutes

8:21 - Found 100% healthy after 12 days

8:42 - Lessons about not giving up

9:24 - Priorities: marriage first, then continuing the search

10:54 - Following expert advice that didn't make sense

11:42 - Bay City celebrates - local newspaper covers the story

12:01 - About the Rivers Team real estate services

12:43 - Thought to "paw-nder": being present for neighbors in need

13:34 - Closing and how to connect

Host: Meg Grier - Stories@GodAndOurDogs.com

Website: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072683640098

God and Our Dogs airs every Saturday at 11:15am on Boerne Radio 103.9FM - www.boerneradio.com.

Air Date: 1/24/26

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