In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is Oct. 4th, many area churches are holding animal blessing services this weekend.

Each year when that happens, I think about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I missed while on assignment in Minneapolis. Yes, I could have left my new young assistant in charge of our exhibit long enough to “run” to the Cathedral to experience the event. No, I didn’t…(Probably wouldn’t again. Duty before pleasure–a different generation are we.)

Conference attendees who took the time to participate, albeit as spectators, came back filled with wonder; bubbling with enthusiasm.  Never before had they witnessed anything like the procession into the Cathedral of all creatures large and small, winged, four-legged, two-legged pets–and not–unless someone actually has a pet elephant.

Pets provide such health-giving services for retirees. Truly, wherever they are–part of a special event today or not–God bless all the pets, their owners, and trainers. To our pets, God’s gift of companion-creatures, we owe a lot!

Have you had a special pet in your life?