Prayers for Pets
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PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P1
Just this side of heaven
is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close
to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special
friends so they can run and play together. There is
plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends
are warm and comfortable. All the animals who
been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole
and strong again, just as we remember them in our
dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are
happy and content, except for one small thing;
they each miss someone very special to them, who
to be left behind. They all run and play together, but
the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks
into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager
body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the
group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying
him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and
when you and your special friend finally meet, you
cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted
again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your
hands again caress the beloved head, and you look
once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long
gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together... -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P2
Heavenly Father, Creator of all things,
thank you for having entrusted us with a loyal pet.
Thank you for letting him/her teach us unselfish love.
Thank you for the memories that we can recall
to brighten our days for the rest of our lives.
Finally, in gratitude, we return our pet to you. Amen. -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P3
Heavenly Father...
We know that not even a sparrow
falls without your knowledge,
so we know that you are here with us today.
Although this beloved companion animal
will be missed very much,
we give thanks to you for allowing us
to have so many wonderful years with him/her.
Thank you for this and for all thy blessing, Lord.
Amen. -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P4
Lord Almighty God, - this animal brought sunshine
to us and was a vital part of our lives.
His/Her passing has created a void
in our hearts that cannot be filled.
We do not question the will of God,
but ask Him to be merciful in our loss.
Amen. -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P5
Our Heavenly Father, we know that Thy love
is so great that not even a sparrow falls
without your knowledge. We feel that it is with
understanding that you look down on a scene
like this today, when that which was so much
ever loyal, ever faithful, may we, as we leave this place
of solitude (burial) resolve that to our Master Christ,
we too find strength to be more loyal and faithful.
Give us strength, for we ask it in the Master's name. -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P6
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Saint Francis of Assisi
The Patron Saint of Animals
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PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P7
The Creation
When God had made the earth
and sky the flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals the fish,
the birds and bees.
And when at last He'd finished
not one was quite the same.
He said, "I'll walk this world of mine
and give each one a name."
And so He traveled far and wide
and everywhere He went,
a little creature followed Him
until it's strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
and in the sky and sea, the little creature said,
"Dear Lord, there's not one left for me."
Kindly the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
and called you dog, My friend." -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P8
Tribute To A Best Friend
Sunlight streams through window
pane unto a spot on the floor....
then I remember it's where you used to lie,
but now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpet,
and muted echoes sound....
then I remember, it's where your paws
would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road,
and up beyond the hill,
then I remember it can't be yours....
your golden voice is still.
But I'll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
and lay them with the absent voice
and unused dish along the wall.
I'll wrap these treasured memorials
in a blanket of my love
and keep them for my best friend
until we meet above. -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P9
To Love Again
Oh what unhappy twist of fate
Has brought you homeless to my gate,
The gate where once another stood
To beg for shelter warmth and food?
For from that day I ceased to be
The master of my destiny,
While she, with purr and velvet paw
Became within my house the law.
She scratched the furniture and shed
And claimed the middle of my bed,
She ruled in arrogance and pride
And broke my heart the day she died.
So if you really think, oh cat
I'd willingly relive all that,
Because you come forlorn and thin
Well don't just stand there - come on in! -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P10
We Have A Secret
We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?
And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass. -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P11
Poem For Cats
And God asked the feline spirit
"Are you ready to come home?"
"Oh, yes, quite so," replied the precious soul
"And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself."
"Are you coming then?" asked God.
"Soon," replied the whiskered angel
"But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly."
"But don't they understand?" asked God
"That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is... forever and ever and ever."
"Eventually they will understand,"
Replied the glorious cat
"For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am... forever and ever and ever."
-
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P12
A Bridge Called Love
It takes us back to brighter years,
to happier sunlit days
and to precious moments
that will be with us always.
And these fond recollections
are treasured in the heart
to bring us always close to those
from whom we had to part.
There is a bridge of memories
from earth to Heaven above...
It keeps our dear ones near us
It's the bridge that we call love. -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P13
I'm Still Here
Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand
when you're at the beach.
I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I'm the first bright blossom
you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop
that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light
when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the
face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking
there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through
the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through
the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence
in the soft summer breeze.
I'm the hot salty tears
that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams
that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace! -
PRAYER FOR PETS CHOICE: P14
A Dog for Jesus
(Where dogs go when they die)
I wish someone had given Jesus a dog.
As loyal and loving as mine.
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.
As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog,
Would have followed Him all through the day.
While He preached to the crowds
and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.
It is sad to remember that Christ went away.
To face death alone and apart.
With no tender dog following close behind,
To comfort its Master's heart.
And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn,
How happy He would have been,
As His dog kissed His hand
and barked it's delight,
For The One who died for all men.
Well, the Lord has a dog now,
I just sent Him mine,
The old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears
on this first day alone,
Knowing they're in eternity.
Day after day, the whole day through,
Wherever my road inclined,
Four feet said, "I'm coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.
Rudyard Kipling
