Prayer for a beloved pet!

[flanum]

A PETS PRAYER.

If it should be, that I grow frail and weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done

For this, the last battle, can't be won.



You will be sad, I understand.

Don't let your grief then stay your hand,

For this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship stand the test.



We've had so many happy years

What is to come can hold no fears.

You'd not want me to suffer, so,

When the time comes, please let me go.



Take me where my needs they'll tend only,

Stay with me to the end,

And hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.



I know in time you will see

It is a kindness you do to me

Although my tail its last has waved

From pain and suffering I've been saved.



Don't grieve it should be you,

Who decides this thing to do,

We've been so close, we two, these years

Don't let your heart hold any tears.



Smile - for we walked together,

For a little while.

[Jack]

That's beautiful.

I'm thoroughly convinced that animals have a place in Christ's Kingdom.

They're such marvelous beings, so completely full of true love, loyalty (except cats ) and happiness.

[flanum]

Take me where my needs they'll tend only,

Stay with me to the end,

And hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.

I have to admit, that bloody line brings a lump to my throat!


.

[djm]

Yes, I will now feel much better about bumping flanum off.

djm

[anniemcu]

Thanks... i think... now I've got to go cry for a while...

[Byll]

Thanks, Flanum. I appreciate your effort. 'Tis beautiful.

Byll

[herbivore12]

Well, you can just rock me to sleep tonight. Oof.

From Billy Collins:

Putting Down the Cat

The assistant holds her on the table,
the fur hanging limp from her tiny skeleton,
and the veterinarian raises the needle of fluid
which will put the line through her ninth life.

"Painless," he reassures me, "like counting
backwards from a hundred," but I want to tell him
that our poor cat cannot count at all,
much less to a hundred, much less backwards.

[fearfaoin]

Good greif, man!
A bit lighter:

• Stray Cat
  by Francis Witham
  
  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 he, with purr and velvet paw,
  Became within my house the law.
  He scratched the furniture and shed
  And claimed the middle of my bed
  
  He ruled with arrogance and pride
  And broke my heart the day he 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!

[Loren]

A PETS PRAYER.

If it should be, that I grow frail and weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done

For this, the last battle, can't be won.



You will be sad, I understand.

Don't let your grief then stay your hand,

For this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship stand the test.



We've had so many happy years

What is to come can hold no fears.

You'd not want me to suffer, so,

When the time comes, please let me go.



Take me where my needs they'll tend only,

Stay with me to the end,

And hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.



I know in time you will see

It is a kindness you do to me

Although my tail its last has waved

From pain and suffering I've been saved.



Don't grieve it should be you,

Who decides this thing to do,

We've been so close, we two, these years

Don't let your heart hold any tears.



Smile - for we walked together,

For a little while.

I had to go through this a few months ago, as many here have. Totally heart wrenching - It was by far the hardest single thing I've ever had to do.

Rest in Peace my friend, I hope you've got plenty of friends, and sticks, wherever you are.






Loren

[Whistlin'Dixie]

That's a beautiful picture of your shepherd, Loren.

So sorry for your loss, flanum.

Now excuse me while I have a little cry.

M

[BrassBlower]

[CelloDog]

Oh no, my friend just called tonight to tell me her dog RRuby died. She was a rescue (found chained to a radiator in Brooklyn) with many health and behavior problems. My friend made such valiant efforts over the years (she's in vet school now). Moment of silence for Ruby (and Mindy).
Loren your shepherd is beautiful, I have one too -- same expression. I also have a cairn terrier( rescue) named Ruskin, he's been diabetic for over five years. If there's some lesson we're supposed tp be learning from this discrepency in life spans I haven't learned it yet.
Be kind.
Doug