for all the DUers who lost a loved fur friend this past year

[havocmom]

and those who share hearth and home with critters:

Blessing of the animals - My favorite day of the year in Tucson.



http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/dailystar/102365

The alleluias that rang outside St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church on Sunday morning were punctuated by barks and meows.

Dogs, cats, turtles, birds and at least one hairless rat gathered in the courtyard of Tucson's largest Episcopal church for an annual and increasingly popular service that recognizes the spirituality of animals.

he Blessing of the Animals Service at St. Philip's, 4440 N. Campbell Ave., has been an annual event since the 1970s. Sunday's event drew about 120 people and their animals - a number that has been growing in recent years, said Rector John Kitagawa. Many people have begun attending as a way of grieving for pets that have died.

As worshippers sang "All Things Bright and Beautiful," several dogs barked and a cat named Dracula climbed a courtyard tree. But there were no fights and each animal was individually blessed by clergy members, who performed laying of the hands following biblical readings by children.

Have gone to this particular service and it is a true spiritual experience, whether you believe in the Christian God or not. It is the love which is the real blessing. Acknowledgment of the love shared by people and pets in the community is healing and nurturing. You can't help but smile, shed a tear, remember those critter friends no longer with you and say some form of a prayer for those who are there with you, thanks that they know the power of such love.

The church is very simple and beautiful, the outdoor area is best, with lovely old trees, rustic buildings and glorious 'Sky Islands' in the background. The sublime blended flawlessly with the stuff of daily life is really amazing.

All things bright and beautiful... the sky, the trees, children and animals, the art of man and the art of nature. It does restore one.

Best regards to those who understand. And a special prayer for the mighty soul of a dog who crapped on Cheney's lawn. May his story inspire us all ;)


edited to add pic link

[commander bunnypants]

1. long time no see

:hi:

CB

[havocmom]

2. Jeez CB, I thought you had died or something!

PM and tell me how everybody is!

:loveya: and missed you, ya ol rattlesnake!