Bishop Dennis Walsh takes a break with Rosa, a golden retriever, at his Davenport residence.
By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
Bishop Dennis Walsh braced himself on a couch in his Davenport apartment, waiting for his playful puppy, Rosa, to pounce. The bishop smiled as the 5-month-old golden retriever jumped onto his lap and began nipping at the black and white fabric along his neckline. “She always goes for my collar,” he said with a laugh. He held the dog close with one arm and scratched the soft, tousled fur behind Rosa’s ears with the other.
Father Joseph Mominee, a priest of the Toledo Diocese who served a pastoral year with Bishop Walsh, gave his former mentor the dog as an ordination gift. For all of Rosa’s puppy antics, which include stealing the computer mouse from Bishop’s home desk and tugging at his shoelaces, one might consider her a prime candidate for Santa’s naughty list. The company she provides to the bishop as he settles in for his first Iowa Christmas, however, is a gift that will last beyond the holiday season. “It’s something to come home to,” he said. “It’s a quiet house; she adds a lot of life to the place.”
Bishop Walsh enjoyed growing up with pet dogs and carried that affection into his priesthood. Bosco, a chocolate lab, accompanied the then-priest in his first pastoral assignment and occasionally joined him on school visits. He held off getting another dog after Bosco died at age 11, not wanting to impose a puppy’s care on others living in the rectory. Father Mominee never met Bosco, but he knew how much the dog meant to his mentor. “I was hoping he’d be able to get another dog” at some point. “I grew up with dogs, too, so I know how big of a role they can have.”
The two met up for lunch earlier this year as then-Bishop-elect Walsh prepared to move to Davenport. “I could sympathize with him going to a new world as Bishop — a new city and a new vocation,” Father Mominee said, believing the familiarity and comfort of a dog could help with the transition. “It hit me that this was supposed to be my gift to him.” He asked his mentor, “If you don’t get one for yourself, can I give this gift to you?” “Yes, I would accept that gift,” the future bishop replied. He had seen pictures of a local golden retriever litter on a friend’s Facebook page and showed them to Father Mominee.
Bishop Dennis Walsh relaxes with his dog, Rosa, at his residence Dec. 12.
Father Mominee’s parents, Jay and Katharine, cared for the puppy on their farm near Williston, Ohio, until Bishop Walsh was able to take her home in mid-November. The couple called the puppy Rosa — a nod to St. Rose of Lima, Bishop Walsh’s hometown of Lima, Ohio, and the name of the Toledo cathedral, Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. Bishop Walsh, whose previous dog was named for a saint, found the name fitting.
“Both of my parents grew close (to Rosa) and really loved having her,” Father Mominee said. “It was tough to say goodbye, but they were really happy for Bishop.” Jay Mominee gave Rosa one of his work gloves as a goodbye present; it has since become her favorite toy, Bishop Walsh said.
The bishop introduced the dog to his mother, Marilyn, before heading back to Iowa, and the two quickly bonded. “He just sat on her lap and watched TV with her,” he said.
Rosa is the first dog to reside in a Davenport bishop’s residence in living memory. Bishop Emeritus William Franklin (1993-2006) had two dogs, Prince and Duke, during his priesthood years, said Mary Frick, retired executive secretary. Local Catholics have reached out to offer free dog sitting but Bishop Walsh said he hasn’t needed it yet. Patrick Collins, a St. Vincent Center cook who lives nearby, helps with dog walking.
Bishop Walsh said Rosa loves to play and isn’t much of a barker. She is crate trained and housebroken, but has yet to master commands like “sit” and “shake.” He gets nervous when she disappears for more than a minute. “Right now we are working on (Rosa) coming when called. She ignores me!” the bishop said with a chuckle. Rosa probably won’t join him at liturgical celebrations, though he hasn’t ruled out school visits in the future.
Bishop and Rosa may return to Ohio for a short visit between Christmas and New Year’s, if the bishop’s schedule allows. For many years, he celebrated Mass and enjoyed dinner in the rectory with his family on Christmas Eve but that won’t be possible this year. After celebrating Masses at St. John Vianney Parish-Bettendorf and Sacred Heart Cathedral-Davenport, “it’s just going to be the two of us” at home. He is grateful for Rosa’s companionship during this season of change.
