Blessed

It’s that time of year for Pet Blessings. This year, the church service is on the 2 October, the Sunday closest to the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals on the 4th October.

Like old times, we met up with Stanley and his parents as we went to the All Saints Church in Fulham. This year, Missy came along with us.

The church was filling up … and let’s say the dog side was a lot more populated than the cats. LOL!

Mum not only brought me to be blessed but also to give thanks for having us in her life.

It brought back memories of the times when Mum would take Darcy and I to either St. John’s the Baptist Church or at All Saints Church to be blessed.

Stanley too had a lot to be thankful for. He was very ill a few months ago with IVDD, but after getting a second opinion and an immediate operation, today he is himself again.

The Reverend George Merrick gave a lesson about listening to our owner’s voice and demonstrated it with his two cockapoos!

Well done, Porridge and Bailey.

And then it was time for us to go up to be blessed.

I made sure the Reverend George Merrick gave me my blessings. And indeed he noted my name!

After I was blessed, I felt I needed even more blessings as I interrupted Missy’s turn – LOL! Can never have enough.

These are just some of the congregation of mostly dogs and one turtle.

May’s comment: Pet Blessing services is a time of giving thanks to God for the gift of animals, and for us to ask God’s blessing on all that he has made.

And this year is particularly poignant. Though saddened by the fact that Darcy is not with us this year, I wanted to give thanks for having had her in my life.

As for George – he maybe blessed but he sure needs a lot of prayers! LOL!

Over the years we have been to several Pet Blessings at St. John’s the Baptist Church in Holland Park and at All Saint’s Church in Fulham. It is a very sweet thing to do. Even though we love them all, it is a time of reflection – just like still do sometimes – thatches four legged furry animal is in my life, my home and she/he have given me so much more than I could ever imagine I needed.

The blessing of pets and animals is often celebrated on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, or on a Sunday near that date. There are several churches that does the service in London.