Review
"June Cotner has written a book which people who care for animals will find inspiring, enlightening, and encouraging. For once a book is aptly titled and delivers a diversity of blessings . . .this book lives up to its name!"
Review
"Animal Blessings showcases the joys and rewards of sharing our lives fully with animals. This book is an incredible tapestry of stirring prayers and poems. This book caused me to look at my pets, patients and all of nature with a newfound understanding and appreciation!"
Review
"Animal Blessings is an adorable collection of special thoughts on our animal friends. Here one can find consoling memorial prayers and inspiring tributes."
Book Description
"Delightful, moving!"
From the Author
I've been creating poetry anthologies for a number of years now. In my heart, I knew that Animal Blessings would be one of my most important books. I wanted to find a way to honor all animals, both in our homes and in the wild, who bring immeasurable joy to our lives. I hope I have succeeded. Since animals do not have voices, I hope this book will become their voice and our "call" to create better living situations for all animals on our planet. Most of all, I want Animal Blessings to honor the profound influence all animals make in our lives. I hope that you, too, are surrounded by the blessings of animals. I sincerely believe that pets add a special quality to life that can't be measured.
About the Author
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.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
IF YOU CAN If you can start the day without caffeine, If you can get going without pep pills, If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him, If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend, If you can face the world without lies and deceit, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without liquor, If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion, or politics, Then, my friends, you are almost as good as your dog.
--Author unknown
IN DEER COUNTRY
Part leaf, part shade, they stand beside the road, and we are foreign. Out there at the edge of the clearing, some drift into the sun, faces lowered to crop clover, backs flecked with light.
In deer country, they live in their own time; even running, their limbs flow softly into grass, their bodies weave like water. They are the old way of moving on the Earth.
--Penny Harter
TIME TO SAY GOOD-BYE
As we lay our hands upon you, Before your final rest, Our hearts surround to love you, And thank you for your best. Our home you watched and treasured, Our lives you truly blessed.
Lessening now your burdens, We tend your tired bones. Let us be your pillow, Then wings to take you home. Listen for God's calling, Sweet promises of peace. Old friend, leap to Heaven, Suffering released!
--Annie Dougherty
THE LOVE THEY GIVE US
Not only is there always another good animal in need of a good home, but we must remember to be thankful for the time and love our animals give us while they are here. Take time to enjoy them and learn from them. As painful as it is to lose them, they teach us to love unselfishly, they teach us to live each day to the fullest, they teach us how to grow old gracefully, and they teach us how to die with dignity. We do them a disrespect to focus only on the sorrow of their death when they have given us so much joy through their life. If we wish to honor them, take what they have given us, all that love, and give it back to another animal in need of help.
--Kent C. Greenough
