In Brenda Miller's second collection of award-winning essays, the reader is drawn into a conversation on topics ranging from new dogs to old stained glass, from a walk in Portland's Japanese Garden to a sojourn in Jerusalem, from model airplanes to Magic 8 Balls. As in her acclaimed first collection, Season of the Body, Miller leads us on a pilgrimage through her life as a woman driven by spiritual yearning. Together, these essays prompt us to consider how our hard-won abilities to bless others become ways of blessing ourselves.

“[A] beautifully crafted novel….A must-read not only for animal lovers, but for anyone who has found the courage to come back from heartbreak and find love again, without reservation, without fear.” —Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants “A marvelous page-turner, a story of an unexpected heartbreak and the unexpected blessings that result. I didn’t want to put this book down!” — Ellen Baker, author of Keeping the House “Wonderfully poignant characters and a deeply satisfying exploration of love in its many incarnations…make this novel Katrina Kittle’s most insightful yet.” —Lesley Kagen, New York Times bestselling author of Tomorrow River From Katrina Kittle, the critically acclaimed author of The Kindness of Strangers, comes The Blessings of the Animals—a wry, engrossing, and moving story of a veterinarian’s journey through the aftermath of divorce amidst a motley crew of beasts.

Make a spiritual journey through this beautiful collection of blessings, prayers and meditations about the creatures, wild and tame, that inhabit our world. These moving contributions about all types of animals?playful dogs and beloved cats, giant whales and powerful elephants, tiny insects and delicate birds?are drawn from many faith traditions, including Native American, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist.A special section also provides animal blessing ceremonies you can use to memorialize the loss of a companion animal, offer prayers for an animal suffering illness or injury or simply recognize the spiritual connection we create when we fully appreciate another member of God?s creation.

A collection of blessings that addresses the spiritual needs of modern-day pet owners. In encompassing elements from many cultures, faiths and traditions, it includes healing prayers, ceremonies for special occasions (such as the arrival of a new pet), and blessings for a long and happy life with your animal companion.

Come into the Cathedral of the Earth to worship and to... find out how "swarm intelligence" is creating smarter phone systems inspired by the creativity and collective wisdom of the common ant; discover what happens when a visionary artist travels to Africa to bury the portraits of 23 primates who died in a Philadelphia zoo; ponder how cultures as diverse as the Cherokee, Chinese, Egyptians, and ancient Hindus identified the night's brightest star with a canine spirit guide; explore how meditation practice helps a Buddhist beekeeper fend off a disease that threatens most of the world's honeybees. These true stories and many more will make you laugh, weep, and marvel at the amazing creatures who share our planet, from the earthworm to the elephant, all in Blessings of the Animals.

Like a hospice worker, author Rita M. Reynolds cares for sick and dying animals, helping them comfortably cross the threshold into death. She shares stories about dogs, cats, a donkey, a cow, ducks, goats, and even baby wild mice she cares for as they die. Reynolds teaches basic skills in respectfully handling a dying animal, whether it's a newborn bird that's fallen from a tree or a beloved dog that is terminally ill. Her new edition includes blessings and prayers for animals, whether in the process of dying or who have already passed over. Reynolds believes in divine and angelic influences when it comes to helping animals cross over. She believes animals possess unique souls that transform into an afterlife. She even tells of seeing the spirits of dead animals and messages they bring her. Many of Reynolds' lessons are conveyed through real-life stories, where the reader witnesses how she simultaneously releases and embraces dying animals. Like The Tibetan Book of the Dead, this book has functional appeal and longevity. This book appeals to anyone grieving and looking for comfort.

May all of the animals of the earth And the animals of the sky And the animals of the sea Be at peace. This lyrical picture book from bestselling author and illustrator Daniel Kirk encourages young children to be kind to all the animals of the world. Kirk’s loving and hopeful verse blesses and gives warm wishes to farm animals, house pets, wild animals, and other creatures. Sure to warm the hearts of children and parents alike, this book is perfect to curl up with at bedtime.

A guide to praying for animals with sample prayers and blessing services for numerous situations, which can be personally customized.Accounts of answered prayers, Bible readings, and Scriptural truths on receiving answers to prayer.Heartwarming anecdotes and fascinating Bible stories.Delightful photos to make you smile.A reference book for life! My prescription: provide good food and exercise, see your veterinarian for yearly exams, and use the prayers in this wonderful book.Amanda Oden Corliss, DVM, Massachusetts Questions answered and backed-up by Scripture, sample prayers to help you along the way, and encouragement to never give up can all be found within the pages of this book.Rev. Shirley Johnson, FloridaSenior Reviewer, MidWest Book ReviewFilled with numerous true stories of wit and wisdom in equal parts, Ms. Shanahans second book is a pure delight. Annie Mals, PresidentThe Peaceful Kingdom Alliance 4 Animals, CaliforniaTable of Contents Chapter 1Introduction To PrayerChapter 2Prayer OverviewChapter 3Special Prayers For Our Animal CompanionsChapter 4Prayer For Animals EverywhereChapter 5Blessing The AnimalsChapter 6Blessings For All OccasionsChapter 7Memorial Service Includes A Table Of ContentsTo Quickly Find The Following Prayers:Quick Reference Prayer DirectoryHoly Communion PrayerThe Our FatherGrace Over Your Pets FoodDaily Prayer For Your PetPrayer For HealingPrayer For All AnimalsPrayer For The Return Of A Lost PetPrayer For EmergenciesPrayer For Protection While TravelingPrayer For Animal SheltersPrayer To End Animal CrueltyPrayer For A Blessing Of The Animals ServiceBlessing Of The Animals Closing PrayerThanksgiving Blessing PrayerEaster Blessing PrayerA Christmas PrayerA Valentines Day PrayerPrayer While SingingPrayer For Dedication Of Your PetPrayer In A Memorial ServicePrayer For Salvation

The True Story Of Ginny. Philip Gonzales had lost all interest in life after a disabling industrial accident so a friend suggested he adopt a dog. Reluctantly he went to a shelter where Ginny, a badly abused one-year-old pup, quickly won him over. On their first walk together, Ginny pulled Philip into a vacant lot where she immediately found a starving stray cat. This was the beginning of Ginny's ongoing mission to rescue, with Philip's help, abandoned cats, using her incredible "radar of the heart" to find them in even the most unlikely places. Their mission has given Philip a new sense of purpose and a new lease on life.

With heartwarming, funny, silly, and sad tributes, "Dog Blessings" honors the special connection between people and their canine friends. The essays collected here wax eloquent on subjects ranging from dog days at the beach to the lives of rescue and shelter dogs.