Rosa, Bishop Dennis Walsh’s golden retriever, plays with a new toy during an all-staff meeting May 21 at the Chancery in Davenport.
By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — With a wagging tail and a heart full of love, Bishop Dennis Walsh’s cheerful golden retriever, Rosa, is the “Director of Pawsitivity” at the Diocese of Davenport Chancery.
The 10-month-old puppy’s mission is to bring joy, comfort and an infectious smile to Chancery visitors, staff and residents. “Whether she’s making her rounds for pets, joining someone for a walk, or simply offering quiet companionship, Rosa’s presence reminds everyone of the power of unconditional love and simple happiness,” said Jennifer Praet, diocesan director of Stewardship. Father Joseph Mominee, a priest of the Toledo, Ohio Diocese who served a pastoral year with Bishop Walsh, gave him the dog as an ordination gift last fall.
Rosa hangs out in the Chancery on days when the bishop is out of town. She usually starts the day with Executive Secretary Emily Pries, who emails staff when Rosa is in. “I enjoy having coworkers pop in to see if she is available to talk to, visit their office or take a quick walk,” Emily said. They seem to enjoy the joviality Rosa brings to the office. “I love dogs, so I appreciate a furry friend around the office to pet. They say it’s a great stress reliever. She is very funny, too, so she makes me laugh.”
Rosa often spends time relaxing in Peggy Warnecke’s office on the third floor. “I so enjoy Rosa,” said Warnecke, an administrative assistant in the Finance office. “I feel a connection with her when we lock eyes and when she’s with me, she’ll lay around sleeping under my desk, leaning against my feet.” Sometimes, Rosa’s puppy nature comes out to play. “I had to leave just to pick up a paper outside my office and not even seconds later I returned and Rosa was looking up at me with my computer mouse in her mouth. I think I even saw a smile from her! Now, how do you tell her ‘No?’’’
Rosa received a special surprise at an all-staff meeting earlier this month: a gift box filled with treats and toys from BarkBox, which proudly named her a Bark Happy Ambassador. “The gifts were a tail-wagging hit, helping Rosa settle into her role with enthusiasm,” Praet said.
