Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,especially for animals who are suffering;for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;for all that must be put to death.We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals, and so to share the blessings of the merciful.