Claudia Cherubina: March 21, 1995-Feb. 11, 2012

When I came downstairs this morning, I saw Claudia's leash in its usual place on the wing chair near the front door. A few days ago, I would have picked up the leash and gone upstairs to my bed where Claudia would have still been under the covers. I would have pulled the covers off her and said, "Let's go out, little girl!" She would have stood up, stretched, and wagged her tail as I put the leash on her. That didn't happen this morning. It never will again. Claudia and I will never "go walkies" again.
It was a cold but beautifully sunny day today. When I got home from church, I half-expected to see Claudia stretched out on the rug along with her cat siblings, basking in the sunshine streaming through the patio doors. Of course, she wasn't there nor would she ever be again.
Claudia loved her feline siblings, first beautiful Siamese Ming Li who "raised" Claudia from puppyhood,
then exotic Bengal Sashi,
then finally bad boy Ocicat Samwise ("Sami").
This afternoon I caught myself thinking,"I should take Claudia out..." then I looked over to the empty place on the sofa that had become her spot the last few years. To quote a song sung by someone who also died on February 11, 2012, "I will always love you." Claudia, I know you are snuggling with Ming Li again.

Bye, my little girl.

Prayers for Claudia (and any beloved pet who is gone)

The Rev. Gayle McCarty, associate rector at my church Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal, is a great and dedicated animal lover. After I told her about Claudia, she sent me these two beautiful prayers:

Most merciful God, we return to you Claudia, a creature of your own making and your gift into our lives. We praise you for her beauty and strength, for her grace and power; we thank you for her faithful companionship in our joys and sorrows; and we bless you for the time during which you entrusted her into our care. Receive now Claudia back into the arms of your everlasting love, 0 Giver of life, through whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ all that is lost to death is restored to life, and in whose Name we pray. Amen.

Claudia, we send you now into God's loving hands,

knowing that God created you

and that God will tend to your Spirit throughout eternity.

God's light surrounds you,

God's love enfolds you,

God's power protects you,

God's presence watches over you -

where you are- God is - and all is well.

Amen.