There is an English word: “If you love me, love my dog.” So the spiritual master is dog-God. He’s dog of God, therefore he’s dog-God. He’s to be worshiped. He’s the pet dog of God. Therefore if you love the dog, you love God. Spiritual master will not claim that “I am God,” but it is our duty,
because the dog is pet… Here it is said, na ca tasman manusyesu. You have to love that dog. Then you’ll get the perfection. This is the secret.

Srila Prabhupada — June 8, 1976, Los Angeles