Blessing of the Animals Books

Blessing the Bridge is a book that everyone with a four legged companion should read. I purchased this book as my long loved companion of 14-1/2 yrs was what I thought close to crossing the bridge. Knowing that this was going to be difficult for both of us I knew I must prepare myself and her for the letting go. Reading this book gave me insight to talk with her and let her make the decision. We are three months later and she lays beside me as I write, snoring! What I recognized from reading this book is that I will rely on my baby to let me know when she believes it's time to let go. Allowing her to slip into a deep peaceful sleep as she crosses the bridge of serenity. By no means will it be a smooth ride when the time arrives, but this book will give you insight and a sense that you both made this decision together.
I previously had to make a decision 8 years ago for my 15 year old and had I been aware of this book I certainly would have read it then to help us both through the decision making and letting go process. This is a book that will give you hope and a sense of acceptance that both you and your four legged friend can share. A must for all who one day will learn the true meaning of letting go.

This book really helped me through the dying process of my beloved dog of 10 years. He had cancer and toward the end when there was nothing medically possible for him, I came to accept he wouldn't be around much longer. This book helped me to see that death is a natural process for animals. They accept it as part of their life. There are many things in the book that one can do to help this process. I highly recommend this book. It brought me comfort during this difficult time and after his passing I refer to it often.

I bought this book from Amazon back in 2003 when I was doing a study at Vermont College on Animal Bereavement. This book was and is like a gift from the heavens. Every night one hears these heart wrenching stories on the evening news of the dark side of the human heart. How deeply rewarding to read Rita Reynolds's book, "Blessing The Bridge" and to know without reservation that The Creator does indeed have angels, in human form, caring for the lost sheep. I would also submit to the reader that this book is a security blanket of sorts. Ms. Reynolds has been at the side of so many of her animal companions as they took their final breath. Therefore it is very much a solace for those of us that are in grief for our companions'. Get this book! It will linger with the reader long after the last page is closed and it is placed back on the shelf.

A great book for those who are in pain from the loss of a pet. Has a wonderful spiritual side.

Rita Reynolds runs the animal sancutary Howling Succeses in Afton, Virginia. This is a place where the aged, infirm, and abandoned of the animal world find loving kindness and comfort for as long as they remain in this world. Rita is able to commit her life to this work because she has the heart and soul that are open to the loving and beautiful moments of this world; the takes them in and gives them back in beautiful ways.

In her book Blessing the Bridge, Reynolds talks about her lifelong love for animals as friends and teachers. Her gentle, humble vision has opened the doors of her souls to animals and, really to God's Creation as a whole work rather than a bunch of stuff for us to use at will and at our convenience.

Rita's book is about the sanctity of all life. Her book lifts up the grandeur of ordinar life because it celebrates life as a holy phenomenon.

Seen in this way, the book speaks to the nature of all relationships. It lifts up and illuminates our relationship with the animal world and our relationships with each other. All life is sacred and interdependent.

As I was re-reading Chapter 1 the other day, it occurred to me that Rita's loving her pet dog Oliver's cancer as a part of Oliver--that is, not treating the disease as a separate thing, an opponent or even an enemy but as a part of the whole being known as Oliver--could be seen as a metaphor for forgiveness and acceptance in human relationships. Bad experiences, shortcomings, disappointments in relationships--all these things can be embraced as teachers that open doors of hearts that ultimately open the way to God's gracious love.

Rita Reynolds is a beautiful person. Her prose reflects her spirit. See for yourself:
Chapter One: Creating a Sanctuary

In the midst of a routine day I gathered my dog, Oliver, into my arms, and held his soft, small body close to mine There is a strong possibility, I explained, that the cancer growing inside you will eventually cause us to be separated from each other. As the word separated left my mouth, his face rose to mine. Although blind, his eyes danced, shining with life. I sensed that he was seeing on another level, within and through me. You will change worlds and I will have to remain behind, but I will always love you. Oliver turned his head downward as my words and tears cascaded over him. A knowing flowed between Oliver and me that in truth we could never be separated, and that everything was perfect, even the cancer.

But I had not always felt so. When I had heard the diagnosis three months earlier, I had immediately made Oliver's cancer an enemy. That cancer was the monster that would tear my dear friend of eight years away from me. Later, in a reflective moment I realized that by declaring war on the cancer, I was making all of Oliver's cells the whole basic structure of his body my enemy as well. From that moment, rather than cursing his cells, I began loving and blessing them, even the cancerous ones, hoping this approach would cure him. But what if he died anyway? I asked myself in doubtful moments. Would I have accomplished anything at all, or wasted energy, time, and emotion? Was I entrapping myself in false hope, blind faith, and utter stupidity? I wondered if I was setting myself up for a hard and terrible disappointment.

Oliver's tumor was in his bladder. The medical prognosis was that the cancer would not respond to surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. After introspection and prayer, I decided to begin my own integrative therapy for Oliver. My intuition, always my best guide, directed me to use sound and music therapy, color and light, supportive nutrition, and the prayer support of friends and family. At the same time, I also realized that it might just be Oliver's time to go.

As we proceeded with these alternative healing methods, I began to realize that everything I was doing for Oliver was appropriate for possibly curing his physical condition, while at the same time helping him through his dying if that would be the outcome. I was no longer attempting a cure-or-nothing approach, which would imply success versus failure or winning versus losing. I had ended my battle against the cancer.

No longer was this therapy focused on my little dog alone. Now, Oliver and I were moving in tandem through a mutual and inter-supportive healing on infinite levels. As with so many of the animals who had been in my care, I was once again learning when and how to let Oliver go, making sure I did so with unconditional love, grace, and peace.

We walked through our healing, step by step. Nothing long range. I felt compelled to give up all my goals, including healing him. My job was simply to offer Oliver my full participation and accept each moment as perfect, no matter what was going on. It was easier for Oliver, he had no expectations. But I also knew Oliver and I were not alone. There was a boundless, pure spirit that led us with love. Oliver shone with that love.

But when finally faced with the certainty of Oliver's impending death, I once again struggled with my emotional attachment and inevitable sense of failure. I questioned everything. Was the pain I saw cross his face only momentary? Would it pass, and then we would still have more time together? Or was it his way of asking for compassionate release? I could not decide, so I turned within and prayed for help. The guidance came and I knew Oliver was ready to leave.

The day before Oliver died, he laid his head on my foot as I wrote down my thoughts about him. He communicated to me, Don't begin missing me yet. Share this moment with me, everything is as it is meant to be. And if you let me, I will guide you for all the moments to come.

I will, I responded, out loud, knowing he was pleased. And so Oliver's life on Earth ended well. My friend and teacher joined me in this lifetime as a honey-colored terrier named Oliver. Through his living and dying, he taught me there is no such thing as life versus death, or success versus failure. Love given and received, moment by moment, is all that really matters.

My cat was recently very ill, and I had this book not far from my reach at all times. It brought me a tremendous amount of comfort. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a deep and abiding love for all of God's creatures that he created with love and perfection.

This book was so comforting to our family during the time our Boston Terrier ran away from home into the woods. We said the prayer for Return of a Lost Pet day and night. On the 11th day she was found about one and half miles from home,cold,wet and hungry. I don't think she would have lasted another day ,because it started to snow. By the grace of God she was protected by angels. She had no major injuries,only very sore paws. Two days later she's back to herself. A great book to read!!!!

This book was a great inspiration for me.Remembering to keep my pets covered in prayer and protection. Wonderful ideas and thought provoking ! Always a reminder that the Lord wants our pets included in our prayers and they are important to Him.. Thanks for reminding me ! Wonderful Reading ! Highly Recommended !

I use the sample prayers in Animal Prayer Guide daily for my two cats, Sylvester and Rocky. What a great book! The sample prayers are so handy to have, and the whole book is so encouraging. I really like the Blessing of the Animals Service, too. It explains how God wants all His creatures healthy and well, and is an essential daily tool for your animal companions.

I read Niki Behrikis Shanahan's book, Animal Prayer Guide, and used the Memorial Service in it. Having this Memorial Service readily available was especially helpful, as I was at a loss for words or Scriptures to use during this traumatic time. I love the prayers for saying grace, for sick pets, the Blessing of the Animals Service, and all the other prayers that have been prepared and ready for you to customize. She also has interesting stories and photos throughout the book. I'm glad I have this book on hand for any situation that may come my way as a pet parent.

Just as I feel about their first book, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this one too! Let's hope these true stories inspire others so be so kind. Enjoy.

Ginny's unique talents in locating sick and injured cats had rendered her numerous appearances in CNN, Animal Planet and major news. Her rescue stories were illustrated by two national best selling books: The Dog who Rescues Cats and the Blessing of the Animals. Ginny passed away on August 25th, 2005.



With the passing of Ginny, her unfinished mission of cat rescuing is continued by her caretaker Philip Gonzalez everyday. A non profit organization, The Ginny Fund, has been established to raise fund for cat rescuing in Long Beach New York.
For more information about Ginny, Pleas visit ginnyfanclub website.

Today's New York Daily News reported on the passing of Ginny, a/k/a the Mother Theresa of Cats, gone at the age of 17. She succumbed to old age yesterday afternoon on a blanket in Philip Gonzalez's care. As for Ginny's story, this is one of my favorite books. The stories are truly heartwarming and this book was a "gotta have it" purchase. Browsing the pet section in a local bookstore, I found this and it jogged my memory: Ginny's story was familiar to me due to a Reader's Digest article, but what happened next? This book captures all the tails...er, TALES, lol. I will definitely re-read this now. How could a dog love cats she doesn't live with? As a cat person, I've always been intrigued by this. How ironic that such incredible humanity could have come from one of god's furry creatures. Rest in peace, Ginny. Let us hope there are more of you in the world.

A continuation of a very sweet story. I have a few stray cats around my home and even though my inside cats aren't as willing to share as Ginny (LOL), I make sure to feed them and give them shelter. I highly recommend this book and also the one that came before it! (Not sure of the exact title).

I read this book in one afternoon and handed it off to my husband, who could not put it down. I relate to the author in one respect: after having animals all my life, I connected with one cat so profoundly that I have devoted my life and work to alleviating animal suffering and overcoming the devastating problem of pet overpopulation. It's bittersweet. I love animals with a depth that is so satisfying, and enjoy human and animal company more than I ever was able. But I am now so attuned to animal suffering (generally due to human neglect or abuse -- I'm not trying to fight the forces of nature) that it is difficult to focus on anything else. Just read this book. It feels so good!

I purchased three copies of this book and plan to order more to give as gifts. The Blessings (short rhyming prayers) are endearing. Thanking God for the simple things in all our lives...but especially in the lives of children. The artwork is colorful and appropriate to each little prayer. I cut two of the books apart so that I could laminate the prayer and picture for each month. The third book I kept for the children's bookshelf. I am a preschool teacher and these happy,hopeful, blessings for children are a heartwarming addition to my classroom!

We read this nightly with our 2 year old and 3-1/2 year old. They love finding the *right* page each night, and by mid-month they have the blessing memorized and they say it along with us. Then, towards the end of the month, as we grow weary of the same blessing every night, lo and behold it is a new month, and we get to learn a new one! This opens up so many avenues: prayers of thanksgiving, nighttime rituals, the concept of months and seasons. And the pictures offer many things to talk about, some covered in the blessing, and others that simply fit the month. We heartily recommend this book to parents of toddlers!

My 20 month old LOVES this book. He always digs it out from his others. The pace and length of book works well for short attention span and bright, child-like illustrations work well too. Recurring themes (dogs,cats,trees...) in illustrations make this a good book for 'point to the ...' recognition game.

BLESS US ALL takes you through the months of the year "blessing" things common to the month, each in four lines of poetry. Rylant's illustrations are as charming as her words, done in folk-art style, bordered with wrapping-paper prints. This book would make a lovely gift for a young child or for an adult who still has some child within. BLESS US ALL is a blessing!

The book was a wonderful way of enforcing the love we feel toward the animals we live with and the love from God toward us all.

A rich and practical guide to reflecting on our relationship with the creatures who share our households, All God's Creatures is well-grounded theologically. At the same time, Debra Farrington has provided a wealth of practices and prayers for allowing us to see these animal companions as sacramental signs of God's own work and mercy. She invites us--urges us--to move beyond romanticized notions of "having a pet" and calls us to see the inherently holy connections between people and the animals who share our lives.

I have already given this book to six other people, and have found it to be a needed resource.

Reading this book has not only changed how we treat the cats and goldfish who share our home, it has changed the conversations in our house with and about our animal companions. When my six-year-old asked about getting a hamster, I told her it is a big decision to invite another animal into our home. I would never have begun the conversation this way before reading Debra Farrington's book.

This is a sound theological, practical and engaging examination of our relationship with the animals we invite into our homes, covering everything from naming to feeding to playing. The book also offers ways to be with aniamls who are sick or dying and includes rituals for burial. I'm planning on giving it to most everyone on my Christmas list!

Anyone who has ever lost someone they love to an untimely death will find comfort within this anthology of true stories of healing from animal sightings and blessings.
Author, Patricia Spork lost her son Casey to suicide on December 26, 2000. On her road through the debilitating journey of grief she was blessed with many signs of Casey's continuation beyond death. Casey's choice for a "soul" messenger was not a winged angel, but a hawk that often appeared to Patricia when her grief became unbearable. At other times it would be a dragonfly who would intently listen to her as she talked and literally follow her around.
The contributors of this book have all had similiar experiences of "soul" sightings and animal blessings of their loved ones ranging from birds, cats and dogs to dragonflies and butterflies.
I was deeply moved by this book and found it to be not only uplifting, offering hope that our souls do go on after death, but also found it to be an excellent source of ideas and resources for dealing with grief. Patricia has poured her heart out in this book and it is impossible not to feel her pain or her elation with each animal blessing. A must read for anyone who has lost a child to suicide.

"Loss Comfort and Healing from Animal Sightings" is not only inspiring, but also educative and informative - from famous quotes and Internet resources throughout the entire book, to contributors' comforting and touching stories and their messages.
The "Foreword" expresses a feeling common to all stories part of the collection - the yearning for a sign from the departed loved one - and ends with an invitation for the reader to turn the page and emerge into the healing and inspiring stories. Enjoy them all and learn from their messages, take advantage of the listed resources.

With "Loss, Comfort & Healing From Animal Sightings" Patricia Spork, and the other writers contained therein, has provided a wonderful service to those who've lost loved ones. Each section is crafted from empathy and hope, showing the spiritual link between this world and the next with proof from the animals that death, indeed, has no dominion.

This book is an absolute delight! The prayers and blessings are uplifting and honoring to our furred, finned and feathered friends. The anecdotes and ceremonies are wildly entertaining! This book is a must read for anyone who loves animals!

Blessing of the Animals is a priceless collection of ceremonies and blessings to the emerging field of Animal Chaplaincy. As Chair of the Interfaith Association of Animal Chaplains, we immediately added it to the syllabus in our training program for new Chaplains. Personally, I heartily reccommend this wonderful book to anyone interested in animals and spirituality. Whether you are in an animal-related profession, are crazy about your companion animal friends, or know someone else who is, you will find inspiration and practical uses for the many delightful blessings in this book. Blessing of the Animals is a MUST READ for all animal lovers, spiritual seekers, and those who serve them.

I read this book while waiting for my daughter's Mother's Day Out class to begin. It was great! I am ordering a copy for my kids and my nieces. It never hurts to have another way to reinforce the good stuff.

The book is recommended for ages 2-4. I say buy it a little early and be prepared. It covers sharing, patience, etc., which many kids have to deal with before age 2, since they're in daycare and other programs with other kids, common toys and caregivers, etc.

This book is great for teaching kids why they should share, be kind, help others and obey their parents. The book gives specific examples of situations that kids find themselves in and how God wants them to be. It also gives scripture references so that you can look in the bible and read God's words for each situation.
I've found it goes a long way in presenting God's reasons for why they should behave instead of just your reasons. It's a really, really good book that my kids always request at bedtime.

A wonderful story about how Bartholomew the mouse was little and tiny when HE thought he was. But when HE began to believe in himself, he was as big and important as any of the other creatures in the forest. An important message about self image for us all.

This book is wonderful. The illustrations are beautiful and the poetry is a perfect bedtime book. This book has a different poem that is well known on each page and the pictures are the cutest we have seen. This book is the best!!