{"id":5716,"date":"2009-10-06T14:11:00","date_gmt":"2009-10-06T14:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/blessing-of-the-pets\/"},"modified":"2009-10-06T14:11:00","modified_gmt":"2009-10-06T14:11:00","slug":"blessing-of-the-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/blessing-of-the-pets","title":{"rendered":"Blessing Of The Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"On the day before the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, the weather was California autumn beautiful, despite predictions of rain. The eighth annual Blessing of the Animals, presented by Haute Dogs, was a holy pilgrimage: across-the-kingdom species from kittens to kinkajous; three-legged, dogs, two-legged dogs and all tired, poor and cuddly masses yearning to be healed; and over 300 humans and their pets\u2014mostly dogs, actually\u2014who came at least as far as Victorville to line up and receive blessings from seven ministers. It was\u2014well, downright biblical.<\/p>\n

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A short section of one of several lines to the ministers.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Blessing took place Oct. 3 on the grassy area north of Marine Stadium. Vendors, rescues and pet-oriented organizations formed a circle around the Blessing site, where seven ministers from different faith organizations performed blessings. According to organizer Justin Rudd, this blessing is the second largest in the country held in conjunction with St. Francis Day.<\/p>\n

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In foreground: Father Sean Flanagan of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Long Beach. In background, from left, Jamie Jones, Lady Deberah and Rev. Ava of the Goddess Temple in Orange County; Rev. Msgr. Chris Carpenter. pastor of the Reformed Catholic Church Community of the Resurrection; and Justin Rudd, event organizer. Not pictured: Lacey Kruger, children’s pastor at Parkcrest Church, Long Beach, and Rev. Suzanne Shipp, ordained with the Universal Life Church, Long Beach<\/em><\/p>\n

This year, there were no lions to lie down with lambs (there weren\u2019t any lambs, either), but there was plenty of Long Beach-style diversity. The Aquarium of the Pacific introduced a California desert tortoise and a kestrel falcon, and the Wildlife Learning Center of Sylmar brought a number of exotic animals: a kinkajou, a Eurasian tawny owl, two snakes, a squirrel monkey, a monitor lizard and a gorgeous serval, which is a medium-size African wildcat bearing both stripes and spots. People brought parrots, lovebirds, cats, horses, hamsters, dogs as big as horses and as small as hamsters.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are people of many faiths,\u201d Father Flanagan said. \u201cAnimals have no denominations or lines.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this embracing spirit, the animals were blessed:<\/p>\n

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The Aquarium\u2019s Staci Peters and Kristen Marshall with Orion the kestrel falcon and Borrego the California desert tortoise.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Peepers the squirrel monkey<\/em><\/p>\n

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Taffy receives First Corgi Communion<\/em>…<\/p>\n

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\u2026as the greyhounds genuflect.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Horses great and small<\/em><\/p>\n

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Kitties<\/em><\/p>\n

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Oneg Shabbat with a hedgehog<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lady Deberah and Rev. Ava in benediction as the sweet supplicant looks skyward<\/em><\/p>\n

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A minister\u2019s life can present many challenges. Just ask Rev. Carpenter<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lacey Krueger blesses Justin Rudd\u2019s Rosie, who is arguably the most blessed dog in the Shore<\/em><\/p>\n

There was also a competition for cutest and \u201cugliest\u201d dog (the winner of the latter was not ugly), and a Chihuahua beauty contest. Willa, a Chihuahua who had been born with no front legs (see Virtually Pets: Adoption below) won second place in the beauty contest.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve often wondered why animals need to be blessed when we humans have caused all the grief. Jamie Jones of the Orange County Goddess temple said that the \u201ccompanion friends are a blessing to us,\u201d and so, blessings are due in return. We can\u2019t argue with that, but we also liked what Simone and David Rasmussen, who drove in from Santa Barbara with their dogs Roxy, Poncho and Beulah, had to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need all the extra help we can get!\u201d<\/p>\n

(As you can see, one of us isn\u2019t the greatest photog in the world. For nicer pictures, visit this site<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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\u201cMay the animals be an example that peaceful coexistence can exist in the world.\u201d<\/em>
– Father Sean Flanagan<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Virtually Pets: Adoption<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Willa and Webster, two Chihuahua puppies from the same litter, were pulled out of a shelter where they had been dumped. Both dogs were born with no front legs, and the rescuer believes that it had been caused by inbreeding. The dogs are sweet and playful; as soon as the rescue gets them carts so that they can be more mobile, they will be ready for a forever home with a special human. If that\u2019s you, visit this website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Gianna was too intent on having her belly rubbed to pose, but she\u2019s even cuter standing up. Side and rear views will put you in mind of a small skunk, which could work to your favor if you need a watchdog. She\u2019s cuddly and affectionate. She can be adopted through this website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other adoption and adoption-related rescues that were present at the Interfaith Blessing are:<\/p>\n