www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer Prayers for Our Lady's Slave of Love

Dear Gaudior,

Thank you for giving me reason to paws . . .

Alex

Dear Anhelyna,

We were all literally scratching at heaven's door for you!

I certainly know what it is like to lose one of God's innocent creatures who are our friends.

I once lost the power to speak for two days, so great was the grief.

There is a story about how dogs go to a special place in heaven.

If they are ill or in suffering when they die, they are made whole there.

There's lots of water and food and plenty of toys and other dogs to play with in a beautiful environment.

Until one day, our dog(s) look up into the distance and stop playing.

As they gaze into seeming nothingness, their tails begin to wag violently as they lunge forward.

For then, they will see us approaching to the same place.

They will recognize us and rush toward us to be with us once more, never to be separated ever again.

As one poet wrote:

"Lord, make my heaven a place where I can be with all the dogs I've ever fed and patted on the head."

The day after my Pomeranian, Mookie, died, I heard him bark downstairs.

I called up to my wife who assured me it was all my imagination.

And yet, somehow, I knew it wasn't.

I later met a veterinarian to whom I confided this.

He told me that not only was it probably not my imagination, but that he was collecting similar stories for analysis in a book he was preparing.

On the anniversary of my dog's death or birthday (Oct. 18), I steal away by myself to touch his cremated remains and feel a tuft of his white fur I have stored away.

He taught me many things, Poncie did. The last thing he did was lick my hand and incline his head into my chest.

I felt the life go out of him.

He faced death with the kind of courage I hope I'll have when my time comes.

I believe I will meet him on the other side.

I believe he waits for me so that we can play fetch once more.

God bless you!

Alex

Anhelyna,

My sympathy and prayers.

Neil

Dear Anhelyna, This is why I love St. Gregory of Nyssa so much...because he believed that in Paradise, we would be joined by ALL creation...the souls of the righteous, our pets, and all animals. It was not comprehensible for him, that any of creation could could be lost.

My sympathy at the loss of this member of your family...and prayers that you will see him one day again in Eternity!

With love & a big hug,
+Fr. Gregory

My deepest sympathy on the passing of your beloved pet.

continuing to pray for you anhelyna...french cream cakes? hopefully heaven has these available for your beloved pet!
sam

I can't help but remember my amusement at Gaudior's references to the "confounded spotty dog." Since it was a Dalmation, I now fully understand. Prayers for Anhelyna for the loss of her pet and companion.

I am reminded of the Shrine of Saint Philip Howard, English Martyr-Saint. His Shrine is in Arundel, England with his sacred relics beneath the altar. Above the altar stands a life-size statue of the Earl/Martyr/Saint with his life-long companion, his greyhound. There probably are not too many Saints whose image includes a beloved pet. I am also reminded of the precious story in 2 Samuel 12: 1-3. I cherish my little cocker spaniel, Bethany. She almost always sleeps on my pillow with me. I treasure her love and friendship and even her morning wake-up kisses.
Thank you Father Gregory for the thoughts from Saint Gregory of Nyssa.
May the Lord and Saint Philip Howard, bring comfort to all who lose a devoted and faithful pet-companion.
Silouan, monk

Bless, Father Silouan!

St Jerome and others kept cats with them in their cells.

This is why later religious painters sometimes depicted them with lions sitting at their feet - they were no lions, except, perhaps, if they ate the "lion's share" of the saint's food portions!

In Asia, it was customary for Buddhist monks to listen to the purring of cats as a way to calm themselves into a meditative state.

As I've confirmed with a Mongolian friend, the word in Mongolian to "purr like a cat" is also the same word for "to pray the beads."

Quite a tail, I know . . .

Alex

Anhelyna,

In my prayers for your sadness to be lifted from you, I ask the intercession of Saints Florian and Blaise, as the patrons of firefighters and the land from which your beloved "confounded spotty dog" draws his name seem particularly appropriate to call upon (interestingly, Saint Blaise is also patron of veterinarians).

Many years,

Neil

You all are bringing me such comfort - thank you.

We did manage to get some photos and a short film [ movie :p ] of Leo on Wednesday morning - it was quite surprising how he improved at the sight/smell of good Chocolate .

Tears are still very close but we are slowly - oh so slowly - getting used to the fact that he is not physically with us. It is still very strange to enter the house and not be greeted with this spotted affectionate dog doing his best to knock you down with a violently wagging tail - and let me add that could really hurt as it made contact with my legs

We will not get another dog but will cherish the memory of Leo - a typical Dalmatian - deaf unless he wanted to hear , who could hear a piece of chocolate and/or cheese coming out of the fridge when he was on the upper floor of the house, who loved being with horses and when younger would accompany me , running under the carriage behind the back axle , when I was out driving, who was very wary of people or things moving towards us at speed as he thought that they may be dangerous to our health. Oh and this wee dog ,who weighed a mere 30kg thought he was a lap dog and when younger, and fitter, liked nothing better than to come and jump on your lap and sit there for hours

I know he is at peace and no longer in pain and misery but I still miss him

Sorrowing Anhelyna - who has now read 2 Samuel 12:1-3 and appreciates it

My prayers are with you, Anhelyna. I know the pain of losing a beloved pet. It's almost worse than losing a family member.

Tammy