My fretfulness over pets has increased over the years. I used to not worry about it so much; fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, and kitty cats are the reason why. But as I have grown older, I have also grown more protective. I told my son once that the reason for this is that I had to let my children go, and rather than nag them and fuss over them nagged and fussed over the pets. We keep grown animals in a relationship of continuing infancy because we can't stop people from growing up, nor should we.
So every time I see Hera skulking off to her special wooded corner I say a prayer for her. And every time I say a prayer for Hera or one of our other critters I immediately say a prayer for Zach, then go on to Anna, Brian, Daniel, and as many more as time permits. They are worth many sparrows, said Jesus, and more than a few cats as well.