Join us in our Prayers for Pets across the world. We hope you enjoy these prayers and poems for the pets that are no longer with us or who need our help. If you would like to make a dedication for a loved one, please visit our pet memoriam pages for more details.
Please pray for Jaffa, a magnificent Rhodesian Ridgeback who has recently been to see us at the sanctuary. Jaffa is having an operation tomorrow and, while it is routine, it is still a stressful time. Jaffa is a big lad but he is a real softie at heart. Let’s pray that he will not be stressed, will take everything in his stride and make a quick and easy recovery.
Our thoughts are with you, Jaffa.
ALFIE – passed on to cat heaven at the end of 2011. He came in to us as a stray and a more loving and placid cat would be hard to find. Alfie had been with us for a couple of years and had settled well – we love them all but Alfie was special, such an affectionate and good natured fella.
When a lovely family chose him for adoption we were delighted, we knew that Alfie would be happy with them and this was the case for several years. Sadly, Alfie became ill last year and was diagnosed with a heart condition. There was nothing could be done and although they managed to keep him going for a while, he eventually succumbed to his illness.
Our thanks to the family for letting us know how happy he was with you and for taking such good care of him. In cat heaven Alfie will still be walking through the long grass and having a siesta in the shade of a tree – our blessings and prayers to you dear friend.
And these lovely words from Alfie’s family ……
Thanks for the loveley tribute to Alfie. We were fortunate enough to have had Alfie nearly 3 years before he passed away on 25/01/12. Everyone who met him loved him especially our scottie, Mac, with whom he was great friends. Most evenings Mac would want to play and Alfie would humour him for a short time before chasing and “batting ” him but there were never any claws out just a gentle pat from a very gentle cat. Mac misses you loads Alfie as do we all. x
He was a very loving cat and made you feel better when upset.. He made friends with our dog when he was a puppy straight away.He loved all the family and liked to watch our catfish. Jack B age 7
Cindy is plump and we want to slim her down, but in certain parts of the world people would see her as just right – for the table. In the U.K. a dog is man’s best friend but in China a canine is often seen as an enjoyable dinner dish. The thought of killing and eating a dog fills us with revulsion. It is as much a taboo in the western world as it would be to eat people. In a recent food ‘festival’ in Yulin as many as 15,000 dogs were slaughtered in one weekend to provide dog meat dishes for visitors who attended. Dogs are farmed throughout China but Yulin is renowend for the quality of the dog meat which is said to have medicinal properties. That this is superstition is obvious to us in the western world.
The dog farms are horrific by our standards and dogs are transported to the markets crammed together in small crates, their faces are pitiful to see. I am thinking about this when I see anything for sale that has the ‘Made in China’ label. Apparently the Chinese government is considering banning the sale of dog meat. It can’t happen too quickly. We are writing to the Chinese Embassy to see how far this has progressed, in the meantime, lots of prayers for the poor dogs in China please.
Lighting a candle or burning some incense is a good way to focus thoughts and send good prayers, blessings and intentions, it’s an aid to meditation too. We have not put the pictures of the farmed dogs online as they are just too distressing.
Your prayers and focused thoughts please for Star, a brave collie recently rescued from a terrible fate in the holiday isle of Malta. She was found only by chance, she had been shot and buried, her nose and legs were bound with wire and she was barely alive. A passerby saw her nose sticking out of the ground and thought at first that he was digging up a corpse. It was only when he saw her tail move slightly that he saw she was clinging on to life. Star was rushed to a veterinary hospital and is making a good, although slow, recovery. The maximum punishment in Malta for animal cruelty is one year and animal welfare activists are now campaigning for this to be increased. We pray that Star will get better and that there will be no more animal cruelty in Malta.
Australia has just banned the export of livestock to Indonesia because of the extreme cruelty at the country’s abbattoirs. Animal righty’s campaigners have film of cattle being tortured before being killed by horriffic methods, they also show the terrible handling the animals endure before slaughter. While it seems that most people want to see the export of cows to Indonesia being banned permanently, the cattle producers aren’t so sure – they’ll lose their livelihood if this goes ahead. Apparently they get a higher price for stock that are transported live. What a terrible journey this must be for the poor cows and an even worse end when they arrive.
How can any human being do this to another creature on our planet? We have no first hand experience but many reports say that animal welfare standards are very low in Indonesia and that this ban will make little change. Anything that affects their tourist industry and commerce may make a difference though and they may find that the outrage from the rest of the world will cause a boycott.
Will you join us in prayer and focusing thoughts on the animals in Indonesia – that they are always treated with kindness and compassion. We pray that no animal is ever transported live for slaughter. We pray that the ban on export of Australian cattle becomes permanent. We pray for animals who are cruelly treated everywhere.
It’s been a very sad day for us, our dear friend Snowy has passed away to join the angel cats – and with tears in our eyes we are thinking of all the happiness he brought us and how much we will miss him. Snowy was a most handsome pure white cat with an unusual personality. He’d been in the sanctuary with us for the past ten years. We don’t know his age was but he was adult when he first came in. Snowy’s charming nature was the original reason for his salvation. He came from the woods at Sheepbridge and he’d been living wild there for some time. People commented on the white cat they saw flitting around in between the trees. It was a mystery how he came to be there as Snowy was nothing like a ‘wild’ cat and wasn’t into mousing or hunting or anything that would mess up his pristine little paws. Snowy was a true aristocrat and like comfort and routine and only the best. When a group of builders from London arrived complete with portakabins their mission was to construct new factory units. They hadn’t bargained on having a cat move in with them but that is just what Snowy did. Heating, warmth, beds to sleep on, loads of fuss and above all, good food and Snowy was in heaven.
Within a short time these burly men were fetching him chicken fillets and tins of salmon with saucers of cream for desert. They were far from home and families and Snowy had them trained – they petted and fussed and adored him. But all good things come to an end and when the work was completed it was time for the workforce to head back to the smoke. Snowy’s paradise home in the woods was dismantled and the men had to decide what to do with their feline friend. Thankfully, leaving him to survive on his own again wasn’t to be contemplated. Some of them wanted to take him to London with them but they were worried about him not settling in the city after all the space and freedom he’d had in the woods.
The first time we knew of the dilemma was when a couple of the blokes walked up the sanctuary drive, one of them cradling Snowy in his arms. We were told the story and asked if we would take him in. A list of his likes and dislikes came with him together with a carrier bag filled with salmon and canned chicken. “Oh, and he doesn’t like to be shut up. No pens, he wouldn’t stand it,” was the parting instruction as the men walked away. I swear they were wiping tears from their eyes as they went. I held Snowy in my arms but he was tensing up and the claws were coming out. ‘Why were his friends leaving? Where was he?’ Snowy had the most beautiful big green eyes and I knew the men were right and that he’d hate to go in a pen. I headed towards the sanctuary kitchen and put him down on the worktop, opening a can of salmon and putting it on a china saucer right away. Snowy began eating and I knew he was thinking ‘this isn’t so bad.’
Normally we keep new cats inside for anything up to two months but Snowy had the run of the place from day one. He’d said his goodbyes to his workmates and he seemed to know that the wild woods part of his life was over. Although he was a strong natured cat and didn’t allow anyone to take liberties, he was also affable and good natured. He liked the special attention we gave him and liked to think himself a bit more special than the others. We pandered to him, after all he did look like a pedigree cat so why not. In the early days we could possibly have found Snowy a new home but there never seemed to be the right circumstances for him. He did like lots of space, hated to be confined, didn’t understand cars and traffic and had no interest in being playful in order to amuse humans. Dogs he treated with absolute disdain. He tolerated children and smiled a bit when they stroked him but it was a bit forced and only to be polite. A few minutes and he’d had enough. He was a character cat and we adored him.
Pure white cats often have health problems. Is it because they are interbred? Or is it that such perfection has to have a flaw in some way. About four years ago Snowy began shaking his head and one of his eyes began running. The vet diagnosed a growth in one of his ears and recommended an operation to fix it. Was it the right thing to do? We operate on animals without knowing how much pain and suffering it will cause. We were told there was a good chance of complete success and so we went ahead. Snowy made a good recovery although he hated the collar he had to wear for several weeks. Snowy was soon back to his old self and enjoyed many more days in the sun. Last year the growth came back. This time there was no operation to make him better and he began to show his age. Our kind vets told us that Snowy wasn’t in pain and that while ever he was eating and enjoying life we should let him be. Snowy went on just fine until this weekend when there was a sudden deterioration. His eye began to run and for the first time he didn’t want his breakfast.
We guessed what the vet was going to say when he examined him earlier today. There was nothing he could do……… and the kindest thing was to ease him off into his next life………and so that is what happened. Goodbye Snowy, a cat in a million – it was a privilege to know you.
Our prayers for the dogs left in the radiation zone – Isn’t it great to know that in spite of all their misery and danger, the animal lovers of Japan are thinking about the poor dogs who have been left in the nuclear disaster zone. When a volunteer at an animal sanctuary in the Chiba prefercture saw a picture of a pack of dogs roaming the streets in an abandoned town close to the reactor plants, she knew that she had to do something to save them. Some of the dogs were actually waiting at the railway station for people who would never be returning from work.
Seven volunteers left Tokyo last weekend on the rescue mission. They had to be kitted out with protective clothing although most of it was home made. Twenty dogs in total were saved and their rescuers took them in to a veterinary clinic. Sadly, there are many more who need to be fetched out and this wonderful group of people are determined to go back to get them. Our prayers are with them and with all the animals who have been exposed to nuclear radiation and left to fend for themselves.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the people of Japan who have suffered such a devastating natural disaster. The human loss and suffering is almost beyond comprehension. There must have been many animals, both farmed, domestic and wild, who have also perished, our prayers go to them.
The threat of further nuclear disaster looms over Japan and we pray that this can be averted and the people and the environment saved.
The consequences of nuclear power when something goes wrong are terrible. Let’s also pray that the proposed installations of new nuclear power plants in this country are halted.
The Earth is an amazing and beautiful planet, let’s pray for all the sentient beings who live here, that we may exist in peace and with tolerance, goodness, kindness and understanding.
Let’s pray that respect for the planet and all sentient beings is the prime focus of humankind.
Isn’t it sad, and shameful too, that the human species is the only one to crave power and cause devastation. Humans have already put the world on a rollercoaster to disaster. Let’s pray for an end to consumerism. Say no to to nuclear power. Alternative energy and a simpler lifestyle would be safer and better.
Even when the weather is very bad the moorland ponies usually manage because they have a vast acreage to roam in and are able to find natural shelter. Freedom is what they crave most of all. Their only natural predator is man and at the end of every year the ponies are driven down from the moors and into pens. The little foals who have been suckling their mothers all summer are separated and penned up ready to be sent to market. Often they are not old enough to be weaned and some die. It’s very sad to see these poor little foals taken from one horse sale to another up and down the country.
Usually, however they do get sold and if it’s a private home, their lives take a turn for the better, they are treated by a vet if they are ill and given food and a warm stable. Whilst they are terrified of humans at first, they soon become tame and go on to make lovely ponies for children. The ones that aren’t bought privately are sold for meat. This is by weight on the hoof and it’s a dreadful end for any animal.
Most of our little sanctuary ponies have been bought from markets and rescued from the ‘meat-man’.
Now there are few private buyers around and the price of these foals has plummeted. Practically all are going for meat, the thin and sick ones are being abandoned and tied up and left to die.
This is not because of the credit crunch – the cause is EU legislation which says that all horses over six months of age must be microchipped and have a passport which costs £25.00. So, where in the past, a couple of ponies could be saved with little cost (they usually only fetch a few pounds at the market) - now there is a hefty amount to fork out in order to comply with EU rules. For example, buying ten of these little foals, is likely to incurr costs of over a thousand pounds now we have to do what the EU tell us. Nobody is going to spend this sort of money on tiny foals straight off the moors.
As well as this, there is all the government bureaucracy involved in setting up, maintaining and monitoring this scheme – and the taxpayers have to fork out for this. We managed for hundreds of years without passports and microchips for horses and most of the moorland foals found homes. Now most are slaughtered, some still going ‘on the hook’ overseas. Live transport of horses for slaughter is banned in the UK but loopholes exist.
Please pray for these defenceless little foals who are entirely at the mercy of humans. May they be left in freedom until they are fully weaned. May the legislation regarding microchips and passports be repealed so that the ponies will once again be sold privately. Let’s pray that no horse, pony, donkey or foal is ever sold for meat.
Happy Christmas to all our Pet Samaritan friends, supporters, dog walkers and volunteers – we couldn’t do it without you!
Miss Nolene is wrapped up warm - let’s make our prayer for pets – ‘that animals everywhere are safe and living a natural life this Christmas.’
The ponies don’t like the snow and have extra feed to make up for the icy grass. All our water pipes are frozen in the ground and we are carrying water to all the animals. Birds too need water, don’t forget to put some out for them. Strays still come in at Christmas and we are in urgent need of dog and cat food. Thanks to the pet samaritans who bring cans and pouches in – more please if you can manage it. Every day we have to fill the feed bowls and we’ve had some very thin dogs in recently. Thanks also for the carrots, the ponies and goats love them. [donate]
The winter solstice is past (on 21st December) and the shortest day is behind us. Soon the days will begin to lengthen and the grass will grow again. Animals are in tune with this natural cycle, sadly, many humans have forgotten it.
Our prayers too for the poor lady who has been savaged by a dog and who has died as a result of her injuries. Such a dreadful thing to happen, especially at Christmas. We pray too for the dog; we do not know what triggered the attack. Was he a big dog, living in a small house?
A dog is man’s best friend who has helped us from primitive times, along the road to civilisation. What a treasure a big, brave dog would be if we were living in wild country. He is a creature who would have a lot of exercise in his natural state, he would be inquisitive and interested in his natural surroundings. He would be a pack animal with protective instincts and a defined role among his fellow dogs. His surroundings would be grass and trees and moors and there would be natural scents for him to follow. He’d sleep under the stars and go where he wanted, day or night. He would be free to play and run and fight and hunt . It’s what dogs do.
How many of the dogs we keep as pets have this fulfilling life? People try to humanise dogs for their own purpose – to make them a companion, a substitute for a human friend, a pet to pamper. But dogs are a different species to us with their own identity and rights, most have the desire to protect us, they all have the potential to attack. A big dog is capable of doing a lot of damage. Education is the key to stopping this happening again, with advice on getting the right dog, how to train this animal who communicates in a different way although he’ll understand us a lot better than we understand him. We need to provide a good environment and lifestyle, understand his needs and how he thinks – this the way for everyone to stay safe.