Meant to post this at Christmas, but misplaced it. Not a poem really, but I love it, and think it's fitting all year long.

Hear our humble prayer, Oh God
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
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.

Albert Schweitzer