Away With A Prayer

Away With A Prayer


To the many animals I have had to say goodbye to in one of the most difficult jobs one could ever experience. Animal care is something only a select few are able to carry on strongly through. I hope that you can forgive us for the decisions we have had to make, and I hope to meet you all again someday when my soul, too, departs. May I be swarmed by loving, happy, and healthy fur-children.


We found it hard to make up our minds
Of who must be pulled in these difficult times

The sick and the injured who could not carry on
The healthy ones who had been here so long

The stray cat who cowered towards the back of the cage
The dog who was forced and trained to show rage

We sadly prepare all the things that we need
To ready ourselves for this heartbreaking deed

And one at a time, their life must be judged
Because this hard task has been left to us

There is no way that I can begin to describe
The way that this makes you feel inside

The first animal who must come to this fate
You say goodbye to with tears on your face

Inside your arms you hold so close
The dog who you have grown to know

And you cannot possibly understand why
In all of these months. there's no home for this guy

He seems to know as you can tell
And looks up at you as you whisper farewell

A kiss to his soft head as they find his vein
And you close your eyes to escape this pain

He flinches just a bit before drifting to sleep
And the promise of being there you shall keep

Slower and slower are the beats of his heart
And as it stops, you find yourself torn apart

They needed to give a chance to someone new
And this is the only thing that they could do

One final press of your lips to his fur
You step out for a moment to regain composure

Silent crying for a moment or two
And then they come to say they need you

An abused little cat lies beaten and bruised
With broken bones and soul, she is confused

Her pain medication will be wearing off soon
And now you must re-enter the room

The treatment for her injuries is costly, vets fear
The internal injuries were just too severe

And so in gentle arms you scoop her slow
Because she still feels some hurt, you know

Your goodbye is quick as her time is brief
And thankfully she will no longer suffer in grief

The dog who has been trained to be vicious and fight
Now puts up a battle to keep his life

The stray cat who came caught in a trap
Will be the one you bid farewell to last

And with a heavy heart and more tears to come
You are thankful that this hard task is now done

And as you walk away you remember their lives
And how it felt to look into their eyes

Because what the other people in the room did not know
Is that you said a prayer as each heart was slowed:

"Lord, forgive me for sending home
An angel so early, but let it be known

I love this animal with all of my heart
And I hate that we now must be apart

Whether known for so long or not long at all
I hated that we had to make this call

But please take them into your loving arms
And let them know that you mean them no harm

For in Heaven, I am sure, they will always be safe
And finally free from this world's many pains

Bless this poor animal and bring them much joy
Give each cat a mouse, and each dog a toy

I send them your way with a soul that is torn
But I know that soon I will see them once more."





To the animals I have loved and lost, I send you "away with a prayer"....

-Daemien