Holy Water and Pets

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Is it allowable to put holy water on your pets for their protection and safety, and God’s loving care? Or, is this considered blasphemous (e.g. throwing to the dogs what is holy)?
 
Madaglan said:
Is it allowable to put holy water on your pets for their protection and safety, and God’s loving care? Or, is this considered blasphemous (e.g. throwing to the dogs what is holy)?
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Of course you can use Holy water to bless any of God’s creation.
 
In some parts of the world animals will actually be brought to church for a blessing either on the feast of St Francis of Assisi or, I think, that of St Anthony of Padua. So I think Holy Water should be fine.
 
I put holy water on my kitty each day as I recite the Franciscan pet blessing:
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You inspired St. Francis to call all animals his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this animal, by the power of your love, enable it to live according to Your plan. Amen.”
 
The Orthodox Book of Needs (Pastoral Offices) has prayers for sick animals, and directs Holy Water and blessed salt to be given to them to consume in their water and feed, as well as being sprinkled and having the smoke of blessed incense waft around them (where presumably they would inhale it).
 
Thanks for that! My kitty is dying from cancer. I have all kinds of medicine for her, as needed, and an herbal concoction. I’ll put some holy water in what I give her also.
 
bpbasilphx said:
The Orthodox Book of Needs (Pastoral Offices) has prayers for sick animals, and directs Holy Water and blessed salt to be given to them to consume in their water and feed, as well as being sprinkled and having the smoke of blessed incense waft around them (where presumably they would inhale it).
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Very nice! :cool:
 
RosalieM said:
Thanks for that! My kitty is dying from cancer. I have all kinds of medicine for her, as needed, and an herbal concoction. I’ll put some holy water in what I give her also.
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Today we had an icon of Our Lady “She Who is Quick to Hear” come to our parish. Afterwards, there was an Akathist to the Theotokos, “She Who is Quick to Hear,” “Healer of Cancer,” for those who are suffering, especially from cancer. Pray to her!

http://www.holyapostleschurch.org/d...archive=0&final_h=400&final_w=300&percent=200
 
When I do the Blessing of Animals on the feast of St. Francis I always use Holy Water to bless the animals.

Deacon Ed
 
Our little kitty “Spooky” was suffering from a bad forearm injury this week. He was so weak Wednesday night, I thought he would die for sure.

I said a prayer to the Child Jesus, to St. Francis of Assisi… and put some holy water on Spooky’s head. Saturday night, he started eating and drinking water again. And this morning, he went outside for the first time in 3 days.

Isn’t God wonderful! 😃
 
RosalieM said:
Thanks for that! My kitty is dying from cancer. I have all kinds of medicine for her, as needed, and an herbal concoction. I’ll put some holy water in what I give her also.
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I’m so sorry to hear this. 😦 We lost our pet rabbit to cancer last month.

I think St. Gertrude of Nivelles is the patron saint of cats and cat-lovers. So asking her for intercession for your kitty might be helpful.
 
Thanks so much for the prayer suggestions! Right now I’m just keeping kitty comfortable. I’m also ignoring the vets who want to put her to sleep. She is not in pain. I explained to them it’s like caring for an old lady in a nursing home. It’s a lot of work and sad. However, she’s given me unconditional love and companionship for years and she played a major part in my return to the faith.🙂 I owe her.
 
RosalieM said:
Thanks so much for the prayer suggestions! Right now I’m just keeping kitty comfortable. I’m also ignoring the vets who want to put her to sleep. She is not in pain. I explained to them it’s like caring for an old lady in a nursing home. It’s a lot of work and sad. However, she’s given me unconditional love and companionship for years and she played a major part in my return to the faith.🙂 I owe her.
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Quite right. God bless you for being so good to your kitty in her illness. Some people wouldn’t even give that sort of respect and love to people who are dying 😦
 
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