A Farewell Prayer For Arnold the Tiger
by Elise Matthes, Sarasota In Defense of Animals
Oh Great Spirit of the Universe
We commend your creature, Arnold, back to you.
May he be granted the peace in death
That was denied him in life.
May his spirit in eternity be liberated --
With freedom to choose according to his own nature.
In death may he never recall the sting of a whip,
The scorching flames of a fire hoop,
Or the indignities of being a circus spectacle.
Grant also that we find it in our hearts
To forgive those who enslaved Arnold in life
Who themselves became victims of their own choices.
May we who mourn for Arnold today
Find solace in our mission to empty the cages --
To end the exploitation of captive wild animals.
May our sadness of saying good-bye to Arnold serve
As inspiration to liberate all of Arnold's tortured kin
Who are victims of human ignorance, arrogance and greed.
In Arnold's memory, we will not rest until ALL animal acts are
abolished.
We ask for nothing more. We accept nothing less.
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