“In the beginning, all creatures were hidden treasures – longing to be known, and brought into being. God then exhaled a sigh of compassion, and with that great sigh, the world was created.” Sufi parable, Blessing the Animals, Lynn L. Caruso, p.192
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There’s something special about interspecies communication; something that transcends the superficial chatter between members of your own species. I’ve been fortunate to experience three friendships with three more-than-humans who are no longer alive, no longer in this physical realm that I still inhabit.
Below are belated goodbye prayers for each with gratitude to the higher power that brought us together.
Loving Creator, before Lexie, the cat, came to join our lives, you knew her, knew that she longed to be brought into this loving family. Thank you for making us relatives.
Oh, Compassionate One, with your breath you created Etta Pearl, the feisty canine, first came into being. We didn’t know Etta in her prime, but she shared much with us in her final months. Thank you for introducing us.
Eternal Life Force, you created Honey, the beautiful racehorse. Her snort and whinny, her sprints and quick stops were a joy for both of us. Thank you for letting us share her retirement years.
For all three, the opportunity to feed, clean up after, and stare deeply into each other’s eyes, was a treasure that still remains in my memory. I am grateful to have shared part of my life with a part of theirs.
“Benediction
Warm summer sun, shine kindly here;
Warm western wind, blow softly here;
Green sod above, lie light, lie light –
Good-night, dear heart, good-night, good-night.”
Robert Richardson’s “Annette,” adapted by Mark Twain
Blessing the Animals, Lynn L. Caruso, p.193
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