Great goddess Artemis,
mistress of all wild things,
know that Peregrine is one of your own
and receive him now into your care.
Hear how this fierce hunter
has made himself ready in your honor;
of his adventures and deeds and kills
more numerous than paws can count.
Many a day Peregrine roamed his lands
first in the shadow of matchless Myrlyn
before that one vanished in the night,
and then carrying on the legacy himself.
Mole and vole and mouse,
and the flying ones, too
knew fear and death
in grasp of barn-born paws.
Stalking seas of dry food,
a delicacy taken from him years past,
Peregrine found himself ensnared
farther from home than ever before.
You smiled upon him then,
keen-eyed Artemis,
and guided him home
to live out his days.
No scuffle with another
would stay him from the outdoors,
and though weather limited his time there,
rare was the day he never passed your shrine.
Ruling his pride,
training his humans,
running down his prey,
claiming his spot in the sun:
in these Peregrine has excelled,
leader of the hunt,
and as he transitions now,
those qualities he brings to you.
May he be accorded the honor he deserves,
the snuggles he desires,
the crunchy treats and catnip
and days by the roaring fire forevermore.
We can no longer care for him in this world.
May he be welcome full-throated in the next.
Terence P Ward 