All God's Creatures: The Blessing of Animal Companions - Softcover

Farrington, Debra

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1557254729 ISBN 13: 9781557254726

Publisher: Paraclete Press, 2006

Synopsis

Ark and Covenant Millions of people today live with a dog, cat, or other domestic animal that is considered not just a pet, but a member of the family. In her newest book, Debra Farrington - who has lived with animals most of her life - plores the spiritual aspect of our relationships with these beloved friends. Full description

About this title

Review:

ALL GOD'S CREATURES, written by Debra K. Farrington, explores the spiritual aspects of owning and loving a pet. Farrington, a member of the Episcopal Network for Animal Welfare, uses biblical passages and Christian teachings to send home a basic message - that aside from its basic needs, love is the most important gift you can give your animal companion. In an age in which we spend millions of dollars on our pets' other needs, it is a message we should all follow. Like many of the books listed here, some of the proceeds from the book will go to an animal shelter. New York Daily News December 2, 2006

The author, who has written seven books on Christian spirituality, here turns her attention to a relatively unexplored avenue of spiritual growth: our bond with animals. "If God created everything -- if God breathed life into all of creation -- . . . I'm just as likely to encounter God's presence in a cat, dog, or other animal as a human being," she writes. It's not a newfangled idea, she says, citing the ancient prayers of St. Basil, who called animals "our brothers," and St. Bonaventure, who wrote, "For every creature is by its nature a kind of effigy and likeness of the eternal Wisdom. "Using the language of spirituality, Ms. Farrington writes of animals' bonds with humans in terms of "covenant and commitment" and explores ethical concerns that arise in caring for a sick animal. Many pages in the book are devoted to special prayers and rituals involving animals, including materials for a St. Francis' Day "Blessing of the Animals" service, a liturgy for "Covenanting with Animals" (when welcoming a new animal into the family) and a service to mark the death of a beloved animal companion. She writes also of the healing influence that an animal's presence can have for humans. Weaving her personal memories with a wealth of material for spiritual meditation, readers are invited to experience more deeply the mystery of our communion with non-human beings. Caring for animals is a privilege, and in return, "if we are open and receptive to the animals who live with us, we will find ourselves being ministered to, and taught by them as well."
The United Methodist Reporter September 19, 2006

Pet ownership is filled with spiritual lessons, according to spirituality writer and retreat leader Farrington, who has owned her share of dogs, cats, gerbils, guinea pigs and parakeets over the years. She turns a heavenly eye to our furred and feathered friends, offering readers a new perspective on the domestic animals we love so much. "The animals are creatures of God, just as we are, ones who deserve to be treated with God-like respect, compassion, and love," she says. Saints of old, ancient prayers and modern poetry find a place in Farrington's work, which covers all aspects of pet ownership: committing to care for a pet, naming and training it, pet pregnancy, etc. She talks movingly of caring for sick animals and offers an interesting discussion of a hospice approach to helping end a pet's life. Scattered throughout are blessings, prayers and services appropriate for animals. Farrington deepens our understanding and appreciation of animals as spiritual beings, as well as our practices involving them. She encourages us to rethink our attitudes toward pets as "disposable" and merely for our pleasure, and instead helps us see caring for domestic animals as one way we can mirror God's love. Publisher's Weekly July 19, 2006

About the Author:

Debra K. Farrington, popular retreat leader and teacher, is also the publisher for Morehouse Publishing and the author of Hearing with the Heart: A Gentle Guide to Discerning God's Will for Your Life. She has written for a wide variety of publications, including Catholic Digest, Alive Now, The Lutheran, Publishers Weekly, and many others.
You can reach her at www.debrafarrington.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Paraclete Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1557254729
• ISBN 13: 9781557254726
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160