Animal Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating our Pets

By June Cotner

Our pets. They are our loyal companions and our faithful friends, a constant source of joy and inspiration. In this endearing anthology of prayers and poems, June Cotner has handpicked choice writings by some of the world's most notable animal lovers to celebrate the playful, the poignant, and the profound ways these wonderful creatures touch our daily lives.

Selections include Emily Dickinson's astute observations of her cat, Roger Caras' thoughts about the love a dog brings to a home, and a cat's rules for running a house. Readers will be delighted by Anne Porter's poem exalting a spring symphony of peepers and Rumi in praise of birds in flight. The section "Partings" includes Annie Dougherty's lovely poem "Time to Say Good-bye" and Lord Byron's epitaph to his dog. "Reflections" includes the words of St. Francis, Jane Goodall, and Chief Seattle, reminding us that we are all interconnected beings, and James Herriot and Walt Whitman honoring the humble dignity of all creatures.

Animal Blessings makes a wonderful gift for all animal lovers. This delightful volume is a charming companion that reminds us to be grateful for everything our pets and all the other animals of the world bring to our lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Nov 23, 2010
• ISBN: 9780062035110

June Cotner

June Cotner is the author of the celebrated Graces, Bedside Prayers, Get Well Wishes, Animal Blessings and Family Celebrations. She lives with her husband, two wayward dogs, and two stray cats in Poulsbo, Washington, just outside of Seattle.

Book preview

Animal Blessings

Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets

JUNE COTNER

Dedication

For all the dear animals who have shared their hearts with me and allowed me the pleasure of their company

Pretty Peatie Boy

Mickey

Pixie

Sundance

Shalimar

Peaches

Cali

Thunder

Spree

Kiki

Charlie

Mary

Allante

Mr. Tabby

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Dedication

ONE: Dogs

What I Learned from My Dog

I Would Be

Welcome Home, New Puppy

Making a House a Home

Faithful Companion

Just My Dog

We Really Never Own a Dog

Loyal Friend

A Perfect Gentleman

Old Friends

Old Black Lab in the First Snow

Scratch a Dog

Devotion

Comfort

A Dog’s Prayer

Folks Will Know

A Dog’s Acceptance

If You Can

TWO: Cats

Cats Make Us Feel Good

Magician

Peace Keeper

Time Spent Watching a Cat

The Difference Between Dogs and Cats

Basic Rules for Cats Who Have a House to Run

The Cat

Psalm for a Cat Owner

Companion

The King of Cats Sends a Postcard to His Wife

On a Cat, Aging

Room for One More

Cat from the Animal Shelter

Cat-Haiku-Esque-Poem

I Will Always Remember

Passerby

A Question

Stray Cat

Cats as Teachers

THREE: Other Animals

A Fieldmouse’s Prayer

All God’s Creatures

Three Little Fish

Grace

A Pony’s Prayer

Last Chance

The First of May

Midwife to Miracles

On Guardian Angels

In the Presence of Angels

Home Delivery

Bird Mother

Birds Make Great Sky-Circles

The Communion of Saints

Deer Domain

In Deer Country

The Grasshopper and the Cricket

Atlantic Dolphins

In a Moonlit Night

Again, Frogs

Bee! I’m Expecting You!

The Good Life

FOUR: Partings

Time to Say Good-bye

Mourning the Death of a Pet

Long Lost … Long Remembered

Prayer for a Pet’s Memorial Service

Prayer for the Burial of a Bird

Funeral Prayer

Farewell, Old Friend

An Epitaph

Passing On

At the Grave of a Fine Cat

A Memorial for a Pet

In the Loss of Your Pet

A Dog Lover’s Prayer

Dogs in Heaven?

Friends in the Great Beyond

The Love They Give Us

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

FIVE: Reflections

If Having a Soul

Do Animals Have Souls?

They Shall Teach Thee

Ethical Conduct

Love Animals

Hurt No Living Thing

Moral Progress

Living Holy

A True Perspective

Animals Are Such Agreeable Friends

I Think I Could Turn and Live with the Animals

To Portland Cement from Robert Frost

Contemplation

Child’s Lesson

Dream Time

All Things Are Connected

The Animals Never Yell at Me

An Animal’s Eyes

The Peace of Wild Things

If I Knew the Ways of Animals

God’s Special Providence

God in All Things

Talk to the Animals

In Their Innocence and Wisdom

Prayer for an Ill Pet

To Be of Service

Why Do I Care So Much?

Compassion

Until One Has Loved an Animal

We All Belong to the Same Family

Respect for Life

All Things Bright and Beautiful

SIX: Inspiration

A Prayer for the Feast of St. Francis

Animal Blessing for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

A Prayer for a Pet Blessing

A Prayer for Animals

I Sing for the Animals

A Prayer for Protecting Animals

Blessings

Buddhist Prayer

A Blessing for a Child’s New Pet

In Appreciation of the Family Pet

Rainforest Life

Blessings in All Directions

Hear Our Humble Prayer

Author Index

Permissions and Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by June Cotner

A Letter to Readers

Thanks

Copyright

About the Publisher

ONE

Dogs

What I Learned from My Dog

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in my face to be pure ecstasy.

When loved ones come home, I will always run to greet them.

Let others know when they have invaded my territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something I am not.

If what I want lies buried, I will dig until I find it.

When someone is having a bad day, I will be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle