Saying good bye to beloved companions

On Friday, May 7th Lindean and I were faced with the difficult decision to put two of our beloved pets down.

Droopy the Beagle was an old dog, with lumps and bumps. He came into my life in 2001, after my first marriage fell apart. We quickly became good companions.

Indigo the Cat came into Lindean’s life eleven years ago while she was on internship at Christ the King. Pastor Shelley and Lindean went to an animal shelter looking for a cat. Indigo laid her paws on Lindean and sighed. Lindean said “I think I’ve just been chosen.”

This sad event has not been easy for us. We have been comforted by a book called “For Everything a Season: 75 rituals in Daily Life.”

Below you will find the order for “Blessing for the Death of a Pet.”

God bless you as you remember your beloved pets.

Welcome
For everything there is a season, and time for every matter under heaven.
Welcome to this time of sharing our sadness and saying good-bye to (name).

Prayer
Creator God, you made (name) and all creatures, large and small. Thank you for (name) and for all the ways (name) blessed me/us, Be here now, as I/we say good-bye and give (name)back to you. Amen.

Bible Text
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind…” And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:24-25

Reflection
Share all your fondest memories of your pet or write in a journal, perhaps writing a letter to your pet. Talk or write about what will be different in your life now. Allow yourself and others to grieve this loss openly and for as long as it is necessary. If you have children who are concerned about where their pet is now, assure them that God loves all God’s creatures.

Ritual Action
If you are allowed to bury pets on your property, dig a grave for your pet, wrap it in a special blanket and bury it. If your pet must be cremated, bring the ashes home and mix them with dirt in the ground or in a planter. As you bury your pet or mix its ashes in the ground, say these words. Good-bye (name). Thank you for being with me/us. Now I/we give you back to your Creator.

Then plant something that will bloom or bear fruit as a yearly reminder of the joy and nourishment your pet brought to your life.



Blessing
May the God of creation be with us in our sadness and comfort our spirits. Amen!