Why This Book Exists: The Mission, Vision, and Heart Behind God is Dog Spelled Backwards

When I first started writing God is Dog Spelled Backwards, I never imagined how much this project would grow beyond simple words on a page. The idea came from a very personal place: my love for dogs and my belief that they are one of God’s most precious reminders that He is always near.

My mother did not know Christ and she went through leukemia four times. On her third round of receiving chemo in the hospital, I asked her to help me with writing and improving the book. I used the opportunity to share Christ with her. She approached it intellectually, and while she didn’t embrace faith then, I could see she was glad to be part of the process. Looking back, I believe that moment planted a seed.

When she had leukemia the 4th time, we both knew what her choice would be. She chose not to take any more chemo treatments. Instead, she opted for going into a hospice center. I stayed with her throughout the night and by her side the whole time. In those final days, that seed took root. She received Christ and then passed on from this earth to be with Jesus. Her journey through suffering became part of my own journey of faith, and it forever shaped the heart of this book.

The Mission

The mission of God is Dog Spelled Backwards is to share the truth of God’s love in a way that’s approachable, heartfelt, and rooted in everyday life. By weaving scripture with the simple joy of dogs, my hope is that families, children, and readers of all ages will see that God shows His presence in the most ordinary—and extraordinary—companions.

The Vision

I envision a world where families gather together to talk about God in ways that feel natural and joyful. A world where faith isn’t reserved for Sundays but is lived out in laughter, devotion time, shared meals, and yes—even while playing fetch with the dog. This book is part of a larger vision to create tools, stories, and resources that strengthen faith at home.

The Values

• Faith: Centering every story and lesson in the Word of God.

• Family: Encouraging connection across generations.

• Joy: Celebrating the love of God through the joyful companionship of animals.

• Stewardship: Reminding us of our God-given responsibility to care for creation, especially our pets who depend on us.

I wrote this book because I believe children (and adults) need reminders of God’s love that are simple, memorable, and tangible. Few things capture that better than the loyalty of a dog. And just as my mother found Christ through this story, I pray others who read God is Dog Spelled Backwards will also discover that God is near—always faithful, always loving, and sometimes revealed in the wag of a tail.  Love you mom!

Isabella Johnston