The Christ-like love of our pets

And if thy heart be straight with God,
then every creature shall be to thee a mirror of life
and a book of doctrine,
for there is no creature so little or so vile,
but that shows and represents the goodness of God.
—St. Thomas à Kempis

Yesterday we held the Blessing of the Animals service at the Camden County Humane Society. It is a time for honoring the pets who are so much a part of our lives as we remember that God loves all creation and not just us humans. And why not, the love our pets show is often so much more Christ like than the love we show one another. Click on either of the photos to see more pictures from the event.

One item in the archives is sad to mention, but such a good resource that it should be referenced here. We have a liturgy for a Pet Funeral that anyone can do on their own. It is so difficult to say good bye to those we love, and it is no different with our pets. This simple service is a meaningful way to make God a part of buring a beloved pet: http://www.kingofpeace.org/resources/petfuneralliturgy.htm

The reason why God’s servants
love his creatures so deeply
is that they realize how deeply Christ loves them.
And this is the very character of love
to love what is loved by those we love.
—St. Catherine of Siena