A Special prayer

Heavenly Father, our human ties with our friends of other species is wonderful and special gift from You. We now ask You to grant our special animal companions your Fatherly care and healing power to take away any suffering they have. Give us, their human friends, new understanding of our responsibilities to these creatures of Yours. They have trust in us as we have in You; our souls and theirs are on this earth together to give one another friendship, affection, and caring. Take our heartfelt prayers and fill Your ill or suffering animals with healing Light and strength to overcome whatever weakness of body they have.

We pray for Our Max

Your goodness is turned upon every living thing and Your grace flows to all Your creatures. From our souls to theirs goodness flows, touching each of us with the reflection of Your love. Grant to our special animal companions long and healthy lives. Give them good relationships with us, and if You see fit to take them from us, help us to understand that they are not gone from us, but only drawing closer to You. Grant our prayer through the intercession of good St. Francis of Assisi, who honored You through all Your creatures. Give him the power to watch over our animal friends until they are safely with You in eternity, where we someday hope to join them in giving You honor forever. Amen. 

Like many families, this year has been extraordinarily tough.  We lost a family member a short time before we lost Max and like everyone else just trying to figure out how to cope with the Pandemic.  However, our blessings outweigh our challenges which is humbling as so many people face great hardships now more than ever.

Max was that Germen Shepherd lapdog.  Yup, a lapdog.  I remember bringing him home and immediately letting him sit on me or the couch.  My wife told me I was training him to be a lapdog to which I replied, Yes!!

Where ever we were in the house Max was there.  Sitting on the couch, laying with you or most of the time on you.  He loved to sleep with the kids and I always felt good about that as I knew no harm would come to the family with Max on duty.  

He wasn't shy about how he felt.  If one of us was gone for a day or more you could expect a warm greeting from Max to the point we would be whimpering with joy at your return.  Matter of fact, when separated from his cat friends for a few days they got the same treatment when Max saw them again.  He loved to chase lights worse than a cat chasing a laser pointer.  Loved water and loved his family.  

There is a huge hole in our home.  Above is a picture that Madison drew of Max a little while ago.  We have a thousand pictures of Max and most of them are when he is with someone in the family.  Max loved my wife and followed her everywhere she went in the house.  He is a Carmichael through and through.  

Thank you for sharing our story.