A GRAVESIDE PRAYER

Dear Ones, 
We have gathered here today to express our love for our faithful
friend and companion, (animal's name), as we lay (his or her) (little)
body to rest in this grave.
We thank you God, the Creator of all life, for the years we were
privileged to enjoy our (furry) friend, and for the happy memories
(she/he) gave us. Each of us can recall some loveable way (he/she)
endeared (her/himself) to our hearts. Let's fake a few moments now
to recall some of those loveable traits which endeared (him/her)
to us. (Moments of reminiscence and sharing)
These happy memories should gladden our hearts for many years.
(Animal's name) has fulfilled the purpose for which God gave
(her/him) to our family. (She/He) shared our laughter and our tears,
our moods and our meals, our walks and our talks. Now, from 
grateful hearts, we give (her/him) back to God, Who gave (him/her)
to us to love and cherish.
Rest in peace, little friend. Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us (animal's name) to love
and care for. Now that Her/his) life among us is over, we give
(him/her) back to you, Who gave (her/him) life and breath.
We are grateful for all (her/his endearing traits, and for the ways
(she/he) bought happiness into our home and laughter into our lives.
Grant us pleasant memories of this dear (little) friend who shared our
family life and gave us happy years. Good bye, faithful friend. 
Amen.

EULOGY FOR A COMPANION ANIMAL

Our Father in heaven, we thank you for all creation, for flowers of
field and garden, for friends and family voices, and especially for our
faithful friend and constant companion, (animal's name).
This beloved animal, though unable to speak, told us in many ways
that we were loved by one of Your creation. It has been said that
actions speak louder than words. In many ways, (animal's name)
spoke of his/her constant love, respect and loyalty to us. Would that 
mankind could do likewise.
We have come here to say farewell to a true friend and loving
member of our family. We thank you, Lord, for sending us
this beloved companion. (Animal's name) will never be forgotten.

TWENTY-THIRD PSALM

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside the still waters,
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

TRIBUTE TO A BEST FRIEND

Sunlight streams through window pane
unto a spot on the floor....
then I remember,
it's where you used to lie,
but now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpet,
and muted echoes sound....
then I remember,
It's where your paws would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road, 
and up beyond the hill,
then I remember it can't be yours....
your golden voice is still.
But I'll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
and lay them with the absent voice
and unused dish along the wall.
I'll wrap these treasured memorials
in a blanket of my love
and keep them for my best friend
until we meet above.

Author Unknown

And if I go, while you're still here,
Know that I still live on,
Vibrating to a different measure
Behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me in the same way,
So you must have faith.
I wait the time when we can soar together again,
Both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to the fullest,
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart.
I will be there.

Anonymous

I'M FREE

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way. 
I found that place at close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me.
God wanted me now; He set me free.

FOUR FEET IN HEAVEN

Your favorite chair is vacant now
No eager purrs to greet me
No softly padded paws to run
Ecstatically to meet me.
No coaxing rubs, no plaintive cry
Will say it's time for feeding
I've put away your bowl
And all the things you won't be needing.
But I will miss you, little friend
For I could never measure 
The happiness you brought to me
The comfort and the pleasure
And since God put you here to share
In earthly joy and sorrow
I'm sure there'll be a place for you
In heaven's bright tomorrow.

excerpted from 'Pet Loss'

UNTITLED

And now we lay you down to sleep
You're finally at rest
Our love for you we'll always keep
You were the very best
You gave us joy for thirteen years
A memory for each new day
Then came the day of all my fears
The day you passed away
A part of us you took with you
And I can't stand the pain
But when this life on earth is through
I know we'll meet again.

excerpted from 'Pet Loss'

PRAYER

     O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, our little brothers to whom Thou hast given this earth as their home in common with us.
     May we realize that they live not for us alone, but for themselves and for Thee, and that they love the sweetness of life even as we, and serve thee better in their place than we in ours.

St. Basil the Great, 370 AD

IMMORTALITY

When death shall come
And the spirit, freed, shall mount the air,
And wander afar in that great no-where,
It shall go as it came,
Freed from sorrow, sin and shame;
And naked and bare, through the upper air
Shall go alone to that great no-where.
Hinder not its onward way,
Grieve not o'ver its form of clay,
For the spirit, freed now from clod,
Shall go on free to meet with God.

Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes

SERENITY PRAYER

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

POEM

Grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears
But laugh and talk of me
As if I were beside you,
I loved you so-
'Twas heaven here with you.

Isla Paschal Richardson

THOUGHT

The moral fiber of a nation can be judged by its treatment of animals.

Mahatma Gandhi