Praise the Lord, my friend arrived safely last night and had an incredibly smooth trip. She got a 3rd suitcase for free and didn’t get pulled into customs upon arrival here!
Please pray for 2nd Arrow, our vet tech in training. She called early this morning to say that her beloved cat that she’s had since he was a kitten (and got to the age of, I think, 14) would need to be put down. He’d developed age-related kidney problems last summer, and went blind as a result. She took him to live with her at that point (she’d left him here when she moved away), but treatments they’d been trying to remedy various problems were not working anymore; he developed a large tumor in his mouth, and stopped eating and drinking, started bleeding out when he was on intravenous feeding, etc.
He was euthanized today, and she’ll be coming home later today to bury him here. Sad day for all of us — even for my husband, who doesn’t care much for cats, but who loves his daughter, so it’s hard for him to see her so heartbroken. Hard for me, too.
And now 6th Arrow is sobbing in a chair. We told her about an hour ago, and now it is hitting her. Not sure how this will all play out, as none of the kids have ever lost a pet. Prayers appreciated.
6 arrows, that is so sad. 😦 😦 It’s hard to say goodbye to these non-human but very special companions we’ve had in our lives for so many years.
Pray for a friend of mine, A, who was diagnosed earlier this year with Parkinson’s and who has experienced a rather fast decline in recent months. I tried calling him at Christmas and got a recording that said the number had been changed but that the new number wasn’t available. I’m thinking he may have had to move out of his place (living alone was becoming more dangerous I think as he was becoming very unsteady). I’m planning to drive by there today to see what I can find out.
6Arrows, although the poem is about a dog, I think you could insert a cat for most things.
A Dog’s Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside… for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements… and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth… though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land… for you are my god… and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest…and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
Thank you for your sentiments, Donna, and Kim, for that poem. That is very much how 2nd Arrow treated her cat. I can imagine how comforting her voice must have been to him, especially after he went blind.
She has arrived here now. She’s sad, but was able to drive here, nonetheless. She said she’d seen it coming for a while, and it was somewhat of a relief that he wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.
She and her dad are walking up in the woods, so he can show her the place where he dug the grave. I don’t know if it will be a “private” burial, without some of the children, or how we’re going to handle that aspect of it. I’ll let my husband and 2nd Arrow decide.
6Arrows, I would enourage you to have the younger children involved in saying goodbye.
We had to put Marlowe down February 19. 2003. February 15.2004 I had to prepart my 6 year old to say good bye to her Pop. I explained that Pop was probably going to heaven that weekend. It make it a lot less traumatic than if she had never experienced a death before. I have written about it before.
Forrest has seen two pets buried within six months of each other – our dog Kane, when Forrest was only 2 1/2, & then our cat Peanut, when he had just turned 3. He seems to have some understanding of what “died” means, but we’re not sure just how well he really does understand.
Our oldest four kids remember the burials of one or both of our miscarried babies, whom we buried at the edge of our woods, so they have some experience with that, though it’s been a number of years since those times (eight and eleven years now). None of the oldest four except 2nd Arrow watched the cat’s burial today. (We gave each of the children the choice.)
Fifth and Sixth Arrows were too young or not born to have a memory of my miscarriages, and neither have been to any other burial.. So the cat’s burial today was something different for them.
Fifth Arrow (special needs 9-year-old son) couldn’t grasp what was going on. Sixth Arrow (six-year-old daughter) seemed to understand the finality of it, and had moments of hard crying about it today.
The hardest part for me was seeing 2nd Arrow opening up the box her cat was in, gently peeling back the blanket that he was wrapped in, and kissing him on the head, crying. Then she wrapped him back up, closed the box, but repeated the whole process one more time before walking up to the burial place and letting him go.
My heart broke for her, as he was her favorite cat, with her for almost 15 of her 20 years. She loves animals so much, especially cats.
Pray for a good night’s sleep for 2nd Arrow. She hardly slept last night, as he had taken a clear turn for the worse yesterday. She thought he would probably die in the night, but, if not, she decided she would take him in so he would not suffer longer.
Prayer here please, as I am under the weather. Achy, sore throat, that sort of thing. Husband is out of town with five of the children, I am here with five. I have one older one and the six year old to do the chores. The other three are not there yet but the two will be able to get it all done.
Wandering Views 
Praise the Lord, my friend arrived safely last night and had an incredibly smooth trip. She got a 3rd suitcase for free and didn’t get pulled into customs upon arrival here!
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Please pray for 2nd Arrow, our vet tech in training. She called early this morning to say that her beloved cat that she’s had since he was a kitten (and got to the age of, I think, 14) would need to be put down. He’d developed age-related kidney problems last summer, and went blind as a result. She took him to live with her at that point (she’d left him here when she moved away), but treatments they’d been trying to remedy various problems were not working anymore; he developed a large tumor in his mouth, and stopped eating and drinking, started bleeding out when he was on intravenous feeding, etc.
He was euthanized today, and she’ll be coming home later today to bury him here. Sad day for all of us — even for my husband, who doesn’t care much for cats, but who loves his daughter, so it’s hard for him to see her so heartbroken. Hard for me, too.
And now 6th Arrow is sobbing in a chair. We told her about an hour ago, and now it is hitting her. Not sure how this will all play out, as none of the kids have ever lost a pet. Prayers appreciated.
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6 arrows, that is so sad. 😦 😦 It’s hard to say goodbye to these non-human but very special companions we’ve had in our lives for so many years.
Pray for a friend of mine, A, who was diagnosed earlier this year with Parkinson’s and who has experienced a rather fast decline in recent months. I tried calling him at Christmas and got a recording that said the number had been changed but that the new number wasn’t available. I’m thinking he may have had to move out of his place (living alone was becoming more dangerous I think as he was becoming very unsteady). I’m planning to drive by there today to see what I can find out.
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6Arrows, although the poem is about a dog, I think you could insert a cat for most things.
A Dog’s Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside… for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements… and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth… though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land… for you are my god… and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest…and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
–Beth Norman Harris
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Thank you for your sentiments, Donna, and Kim, for that poem. That is very much how 2nd Arrow treated her cat. I can imagine how comforting her voice must have been to him, especially after he went blind.
She has arrived here now. She’s sad, but was able to drive here, nonetheless. She said she’d seen it coming for a while, and it was somewhat of a relief that he wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.
She and her dad are walking up in the woods, so he can show her the place where he dug the grave. I don’t know if it will be a “private” burial, without some of the children, or how we’re going to handle that aspect of it. I’ll let my husband and 2nd Arrow decide.
Thanks for praying.
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6Arrows, I would enourage you to have the younger children involved in saying goodbye.
We had to put Marlowe down February 19. 2003. February 15.2004 I had to prepart my 6 year old to say good bye to her Pop. I explained that Pop was probably going to heaven that weekend. It make it a lot less traumatic than if she had never experienced a death before. I have written about it before.
LikeLike
Forrest has seen two pets buried within six months of each other – our dog Kane, when Forrest was only 2 1/2, & then our cat Peanut, when he had just turned 3. He seems to have some understanding of what “died” means, but we’re not sure just how well he really does understand.
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Our oldest four kids remember the burials of one or both of our miscarried babies, whom we buried at the edge of our woods, so they have some experience with that, though it’s been a number of years since those times (eight and eleven years now). None of the oldest four except 2nd Arrow watched the cat’s burial today. (We gave each of the children the choice.)
Fifth and Sixth Arrows were too young or not born to have a memory of my miscarriages, and neither have been to any other burial.. So the cat’s burial today was something different for them.
Fifth Arrow (special needs 9-year-old son) couldn’t grasp what was going on. Sixth Arrow (six-year-old daughter) seemed to understand the finality of it, and had moments of hard crying about it today.
The hardest part for me was seeing 2nd Arrow opening up the box her cat was in, gently peeling back the blanket that he was wrapped in, and kissing him on the head, crying. Then she wrapped him back up, closed the box, but repeated the whole process one more time before walking up to the burial place and letting him go.
My heart broke for her, as he was her favorite cat, with her for almost 15 of her 20 years. She loves animals so much, especially cats.
Pray for a good night’s sleep for 2nd Arrow. She hardly slept last night, as he had taken a clear turn for the worse yesterday. She thought he would probably die in the night, but, if not, she decided she would take him in so he would not suffer longer.
Thanks.
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Prayers requested for me, too. I’m lying awake wrestling with a lot of negative thoughts about several things tonight.
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Prayer here please, as I am under the weather. Achy, sore throat, that sort of thing. Husband is out of town with five of the children, I am here with five. I have one older one and the six year old to do the chores. The other three are not there yet but the two will be able to get it all done.
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Prayer for twelve year old as he continues to try to do things his way in a world that does not work his way. And for patience for me.
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