Family of God Lutheran Church     ELCA

In the past months a number of our people have sadly had to put their beloved pets down. Of course there are many reasons for this—most include the beloved pet becoming sick or simply living into old age. As an example, we have a 17 year old little dog who is declining daily. We are faced with a difficult and emotional decision. And our cat is reaching geriatric age, though he seems to be okay up to this point.

The truth is that our pets are members of our family. They give us joy, we take care of them, they share with us the wonderful events of life like with the family gathering for holidays, and we take care of them as we would our young children. (Feed them, clean up after them, cuddle with them, and so on). When we lose them we undergo grief. Our furry friends welcome us home after a long day. Our dog loves to sit right by us on the couch when we watch TV. He was bred as a companion dog, and what a wonderful companion he has been. 

I have had four pets over the years we have had to put down. One of them, our beloved cat died in our son’s arms—suddenly. Perhaps a stroke—I don’t know. But he simply died, in a flash, unexpectedly. Our family dog when I was growing up reached the end of her time with 

us when she could not walk to go outside. My parents were so broken up, I had to sign the papers to put her to sleep. Three dogs and one cat, and it never gets easier.

What does Scripture say about animals and pets? They are part of God’s beloved creation, loved and blessed by God. The animals were brought before Adam to name them. Isaiah speaks of peace when the lion shall lie down with the lamb, and a little child will led them. In Matthew 15, Jesus mentions the dogs that eat crumbs from the masters’ table. 

CS Lewis (who wrote the Narnia series, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters) said pets are saved by the faith of their masters. What a wonderful insight. I imagine our beloved pets running to us when we enter the Heavenly Kingdom. 

Christopher Smart was an English poet that was put in an insane asylum, but continued to write poetry, and this is an excerpt from his poem “Jubilato Agno.” 

“For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.

For he is the servant of the Living God duly and daily serving him.

For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.

For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness…

God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.

For, tho he cannot fly, he is an excellent clamberer.

For his motions upon the face of the earth are more than any other quadruped.

For he can tread to all the measures upon the music.

For he can swim for life.

For he can creep up to catch the musk, which is the blessing of God upon his prayer…”



And from Job 12: “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” 

Thanks be to God for our furry friends.