[Magdalen] Dog blessing query

[James Oppenheimer-Crawford]

Christine and I will hold everyone in our prayers. It is so sad to say
goodbye.

James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
*“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy

On Sat, Dec 31, 2016 at 2:38 PM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com>
wrote:

> No, I wasn't thinking about the readings being for the dog, but for the
> owners. I have often given copies of the book "Dog Heaven" to grieving
> friends, and they love it, but I won't do that in this case.
>
> > On Dec 31, 2016, at 2:29 PM, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > One thing that popped into my head is the fact that the dog is entirely
> > non-verbal. Reading prayers or scripture texts will not have any meaning.
> > However, the sound of the voice does.  Just the way we talk to our
> > companions makes a big, big difference in their lives.
> >
> > So I would spend some time telling the companion what a good dog they are
> > and so forth. It might be that the owner's voice will give more support,
> > although if she is torn up emotionally, it may be hard for her to keep
> > talking good talk to the dog. I know about that.
> >
> > I would pick readings that will speak to the owner. She may find solace
> in
> > "Rainbow Bridge" if she does not already know about it.
> >
> > Dogs accomplish great feats of emotional connection, so the idea they are
> > just automatons is kind of discredited.
> >
> > We are so fortunate, because we have hope that god is preparing for all
> of
> > us, including dogs and cats and gerbils, more wonderful things than we
> can
> > ever desire or pray for.
> >
> > James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
> > *“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
> > except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy
> >
> > On Sat, Dec 31, 2016 at 12:25 PM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Yesterday I had a call from a young woman who works at one of the
> churches
> >> where I was an interim. She has to put her dog down because of multiple
> >> stomach tumors and wanted me to come and provide a blessing. The vet
> will
> >> come to her home to euthanize the dog. We've agreed that I will come on
> >> Tuesday evening for the actual procedure.
> >> I have no theological problem with this--after all, we bless pets on St.
> >> Francis Day. And when I was in seminary we held a formal interment
> service
> >> for our beloved Chip the Monk, who had lived a long life in the
> woodpile by
> >> one of the dorms. (One seminary professor did refuse to lead the
> >> ceremony...)
> >> But I'm wondering if anyone has done something like this and has any
> >> suggestions as to reading materials. I'm thinking of part of the
> Canticle
> >> reflecting St. Francis love for creation and maybe one of Mary Oliver's
> >> poems about her dog Percy, especially after his death.  And I can
> certainly
> >> offer prayer.
> >> This is a unique request--at least for me--and I thought I'd pick the
> >> brain(s) of this list.
>