“Akina, you know how much I love animals, especially dogs,” said Bizah. “Well, the other day I was walking in the woods and met a man with his aged dog. The dog was limping and struggling along the path very slowly.  And I could see from all the lumps on his body that he was not well and likely suffering significantly. I stopped and said, ‘Your dog looks like he is quite old, sir.’”

“’Yes,’ responded the man. ‘He is almost 15 years old. He is not well, and this is his last walk.’

“It took a moment for what the dog’s owner had said to sink in. When it did, my heart instantly went out to both of them – that brave dog who held on to life in spite of his suffering because he loved his master so, and the owner who I could see was already distraught in anticipation of the loss of his beloved pet.

“I leaned down to pet the dog and at the same time gave him my silent blessing. Before I continued on my way, I turned to the man and said, ‘It is very hard. Bless you.’

“He looked at me with tears in his eyes and gave a slight nod. As I started to walk away, I remembered how the Master told us that blessing others, aloud or in silence, is a powerful way of extending our heart and healing energy. But I also realized we can use the power of blessing for animals too. And why not plants, and rocks, and….”