My precious big guy (Bear) was hit by a vehicle he had never left and stayed close to us especially me his momma. well bear was picked up alongside the expressway away from home as if he was leaving us we can't understand why he left. he was taken to the animal hospital the next day after looking for him throughout the night i was sent to the puppy hospital with as i described him i knew in my heart that it was my bear of 7 years as i walked into the room i called out and he heard me i hugged him and he was alert he just wanted to come home as i asked him he tried to get up and started to whine, i know that there are many similar stories of how extraordinary our pets are

i was given little bear when he was only about 3 weeks old and i spent all of my time with him from the beginning he stood by me through my tough times and knew when i was ill i would talk to him each day and he understood much of what i was saying. many were astonished to see this he was loved by everyone who came into contact with him when i had my growth in my uterus he was trying to tell me he would jump on me and lay his whole body on mine as i would try to get him off the bed he would continue to do this until one day i had much pain and that is when i was diagnosed.

when a stranger would come into our home he would stand in front of me until the person was gone when i prayed he would sit very still and listen as if to understand my words especially when i thank God for sending him to me. well we moved much but each home was home to bear he loved everything everybody and gave so much love i could write a book on the experiences with bear some out of this world

now i wonder if he was an angel sent. well i had to make the choice to let him go when i told him at first he copped an attitude yes he really did and then he cried with tears in his eyes as i wiped them i told him how much i love him and that i was so sorry to forgive me. we had waited 24 hours to see if things changed however with his broken spine and his large size it he would be in much pain always and even with a wheelchair he would be unable to control his bladder or bowels i did not want him to leave and was thinking selfishly that i would do anything to keep him going. when i would ask him if he wanted to come home he wanted to so bad he tried to get up and end up whimpering it hurts so much to tell this story as i miss him so much and it just hurts.

well the day came and i had to let him go as i told him he was not happy, i began to bless him with holy water and he started to cry and again to try and get up so much my grandson had to hold him down. finally i told him that he had to go and as i prayed i prayed and asked God to please send St. Francis of Assisi to come down and take bear to the special place that he has for our loving pets well as i said that prayed all of a sudden bear just laid his head in my arms as i was holding him tight and praying pleading with God, Bear laid in my arms with a peace and closed his eyes as i continued to tell him that i loved him, the doctor with tears in his eyes apologizing over and over while giving him an overdose of anesthesia bear passed away only a few seconds without a stir.

I want to believe so much that St. Francis came down and calmed my big guy bear and took him i do want to believe. and now i sit here and accept but miss him and i am praying and asked God to heal my pain and thank him so much for letting me know my bear for all of his love his smiles his bright eyes. I love you Bear i miss you thank you for your love Thank you God I love you.

rosaelia
  Salt Lake City, Utah
Monday, July 21, 2008

I was the proud partner of a very little mini chihuahua. His name was Hank, and he was only two years old when I had to send him off to be with god. Hank was more than a pet, he was one of my children and I am sure from the pain and grief that I felt when Hank passed in my arms he was just a part of me as if it were one of my sons passing. I brought Hank home with me from the emergency room and I buried him next to the pear tree I planted last fall. Hank will be missed by our whole family and a long list of people that Hank had touched the hearts of.

Mark
  Medina, Ohio
Thursday, July 10, 2008

My lovely Cat "Stalker" was my gift and sign of God's love for me. I have owned many pets, but this one was different. From day one as a small kitten, he was attached; it was as if I had grown my own little black and white tail. This past year I have been ill and this little guy stood by my side. When I felt ill or sad, he would stand on my lap, kiss my face and pet my cheeks with his paws. I have never seen an animal do this before, it was like he was a person. After I got sick he was everywhere I went, even in the bathroom. He was suddenly taken from me this past weekend, and I feel my life will never be the same, but then I remember, I will see him and get to hold him again one day. I loved him so much and miss him dearly, I cannot wait for our time to cuddle again.

Angela
  La Puente, CA
Sunday, June 22, 2008

God gave me a little cat we found in San Diego, California, back in 1989, he was a stray, I had just recently just lost another cat Mesha just a couple of months before Jimmy came into my life.

God found it necessary for me to find Jimmy in a parking lot of a drive through restrauant. He has given us so much joy and fun and lots of love into our lives, he is so sweet and loves to be with my husband and I, we have no children so our pets are our lives.

Little Jimmy fills our life with so much pleasure and he has given us so much love in return. Jimmy is 19 and he is in failing health. I pray to St Francis and St Anthony for Miracle Prayers to help me make him well, the thought of losing him is just devastating. I care for him night and day, we love him dearly and he was a True Gift of God.

Carol
  Clermont, Florida
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Venus is not just a pet, she is very much a part of 2 very loving families. We have to share her; she is so special and so very much loved. She is also very giving and loving herself.

When life is a mess, she cuddles up with me and just lets me cry on her shoulder and keeps loving me no matter what.

Now if we can only convince her that she IS a pit bull and NOT a 2-lb. teacup poodle. Naw, it's pretty good right now. She is a very special lady all of the way.

Angela
  Guthrie, Oklhoma
Sunday, June 15, 2008

My 8th grade year was really tough on me. My teachers were bullies, my classmates were inconsiderate and hard to deal with, but most of all, the work was unbearable. I began to show signs of depression about midway through the year. Just before then, our dog Lucy stepped into our lives.

One day, my mother was coming back from getting the mail from the mailboxes at our apartments. She sensed she was being followed. In a few minutes she found out it had been a small, black dog. She did nothing, but the dog followed her right into the apartment! It was the friendliest dog. We named her Lucy, simply because it looked like that would be a fitting name for her physically dainty features.

My mother asked the police department what the found dog procedure was, but we both wanted to keep it. They told us to put ads in the papers about her, and if nobody claimed her in a month, then she was ours to keep. No one ever did.

We did some research and found out her breed. She was a Papillon. Lucy was the most intelligent dog I have ever known. She was loyal and obedient, playful and compassionate, but most of all, she loved without ceasing. It lightened the burden of my 8th grade year.

Lucy got ran over by a truck on the very day of my 8th grade graduation, right before we left for the ceremony. I tried my best not to cry when I got to school, but did not succeed. But I did achieve going through the graduation ceremony and banquet without tears. They came pouring down again afterward.

I know why she died on they day she did, though. I believe that her purpose on this Earth was to be my Jesus-sent animal Sustainer, my Guardian Angel of sorts through my agonizing 8th grade year. When the 8th grade year was over, her mission was completed, and so was her time here on Earth. We and all the people we introduced her to gave their love to her, and we know she is waiting for us to come play with her again in heaven.

The next day we buried her with 2 of her favorite toys, blessed her in Holy Water, and put a wooden rosary that i made around her neck. She was a good dog and may she drastically change the lives she touched for the better. Rest in peace, Lucy. We love you!

California
Monday, June 09, 2008

Power of prayer and God's love for us shown recently on the recovery of my daughter's lost dog in the Auburn area. Prayers answered next day when found by a kind stranger who had rescued her dog and took him home with her. Never underestimate God's love and the power of faith through prayer. As my Mother was fond of saying, "Prayer can move mountains."

David
  Auburn, Alabama
Wednesday, May 28, 2008

My dog showed me trust, love, faithfulness, companionship and obedience. I was blessed to share my life with my dog and learn these lessons about being God's creatures.

nc
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

farewell my loving tasha, today may 10th 2008 tasha passed away and will be with her mother ginger, her sister duchess who passed away last year and her brother buckey who passed away in 2005. tasha was such a loving and caring chihuahua mix, she always put her siblings and mother first. tasha was 16 years old and would have turned 17 in september. a loyal and loving friend and family member she will be greatly missed, she always put a smile on everyone's face and she was loved by everyone in our family so much that my own sisters and their husbands and my nieces and nephews all showed up for her 16th birthday this last september. i will miss you most tasha, you were always there for me just like your brother and sister and mother when i was younger and needed a friend and someone to hold, you always let me know how much you cared and i will never forget you my love. till we meet again. take care of your mom and brother and sister.

michael
  balcones heights, texas
Saturday, May 10, 2008

After my dog, Bob, passed away in the arms of myself and my 24-year-old son, I prayed for a sign that Bob's spirit was ok, and for help for myself to handle the grief of losing my devoted companion of 14 years.

The night before Bob passed, I placed a rosery on the railing and tried to face the cross toward Bob. It kept slipping, so I just left it in the direction that it kept slipping to. The next day Bob suddenly collapsed and passed away in the very spot where the cross was facing. Days after, I tried to show my friend how it kept slipping - and it would not slip. It stayed wherever we put it.

A couple of days after we buried Bob in our back yard, I was sitting on the deck (extremely sad). I glanced down and saw something shiny in the flower pot, party covered with soil, beside me. It was a crucifix face down with the likeness of Jesus bent in a position so it was standing straight up in the ground. I lifted the crucifix out and bent the likeness of Jesus back onto the cross. On the back of the cross (which was facing me in the flower pot) it read, "Behold this heart which has so loved men." It also read, "Forgive them."

I don't go to church and am not very relious. I do thank God every night for everything. But that is the extent of it. I thank God for the signs that I was given. And this crucifix is very precious to me. I plan to have it blessed. Although, I think it IS blessed.

Jill
  Fort Erie, Ontario
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I want to send a sincere thank you out there to St. Francis. I believe he was looking over my little dog, Henry the other week. While on vacation, my parents were watching him at their house. I called the night before returning home and everything was fine. About an hour after the call, my father was walking Henry. It was around 9pm when Henry saw something that piqued his curiosity and he bolted. The leash went right out of my dad's hands. He barely had a chance to react.

After following where Henry led, my dad was unable to find him. He, my mom, and some neighbors looked for him all night. Come daybreak my sister joined the search. They were all heartbroken. Each of them loves Henry and knows that he is my best furry buddy. I called again about an hour before reaching home. When on the phone with my dad I could tell something was wrong. As we drove up to my parents house I saw my mom driving with her head out the car window, red puffy eyes, and a tissue in her hand. I knew instantly what happened and my heart sank.

My husband and I quickly joined the search, fearing for the worst. My parents live a block off a major highway and two blocks from a river. I was so scared Henry had met a horrible fate in one of those locations. After about two hours of searching, everyone else continued and I went home to check phone messages to make sure no one had already found him. On the way all I could do was pray to St. Francis to keep watch over Henry. I prayed that he didn't get hurt and that if I was meant never to see him again, that someone would find him and give him a good loving home. A few weeks prior to going on vacation I had purchased a St Francis medal for on Henry's collar and now was just hoping and praying that it would let St Francis know that Henry needed his help.

I never felt so overjoyed and thankful for a prayer being answered as I did after returning to my parents home. I had gone inside to get Henry's food bowl to sit on the porch in hopes that he would find it if he was hungry since it was going on 24 hours since he was lost. After sitting the bowl down I looked up to see my husband with Henry at the end of his leash coming up from the end of the block. I couldn't stop shaking and crying from joy and will be forever greatful to St Francis for looking after Henry and bringing him home to us!!

PA
Thursday, April 03, 2008