Don Juan was a GOOD BOY in church!

[Don Juan's mom]

Don Juan and I went to the annual Blessing of the Animals today at the church where I sing, St. Luke's Episcopal in Los Gatos. (My avatar picture is from the first time we went to the blessing.) The rector claims that the blessing has been known to improve the behavior and manners of animals, although he does not guarantee results in cats. :D

There were three other cats at the service, dozens of dogs and one lorikeet (which Don Juan did not see, thank G*d). But Don Juan was the ONLY cat allowed out of his carrier! I had his harness and leash on, just so he wouldn't get away from me, but he stayed calm and watched everything and everyone. And so many people remarked what a good cat he is! :)

(Also what a BIG cat he is. :D )

Feast of St. Francis wishes for all of our furry, feathered and scaly friends. :)

Liz

[Killearn Kitties]

Good for you Don Juan! Good to know you were such a good boy and interested in what was going on. What a great example you were to all those other cats in their carriers! ;)

[Barbara]

Hey that's a great idea. Good for the church that allows pets in :)

Is it because it is in "Los Gatos":D

[lynnestankard]

Liz what a wonderful idea - a pet blessing. Aaahhhh!

Great job Don Juan - we're sooooooo proud of you - the only cat out of his carrier - a Pet Talk cat!!!! Yeah!

Lynne

[catmandu]

I wishm,they had the blessing,of the Pets around here,but they,would have to hose JJJ3,off,as he hates to travel!

[catcrazylady]

The only cat allowed out of their carrier! WOW! You must have been a very good boy!! Naturally it was one of PT's own that was so well behaved!:D


Good thing mine weren't there. We probably would have been escorted from the church!:eek: :D

[Don Juan's mom]

Well, as it turned out I wasn't quite correct when I said Don Juan was the only cat to leave his carrier during the service. The rector's wife did take her kitty (a little black fellow named Goblin) out for the actual blessing, but the poor guy was stuck in his carrier for the garden reception after. :rolleyes:

The name of the town may have something to do with the animal-friendly nature of the church, although having dozens of dogs and a few cats in the church is a once-a-year thing. In fact, we do have a mouse problem; they've been eating holes in the organ and making nests in the flowers! :eek: There are a couple of feral cats living in the garden (who have been caught and spayed/neutered), so I've suggested that a simple cat door installed in the garden door would take care of the rodent problem. But they worry about other creatures getting inside.:rolleyes:

And oh yes, the one feathered participant was a bright green parrotlet . Whatever it is, it's very pretty, and it's a good thing none of the cats saw it.:D

Liz

[Uniqueviking]

A pet blessing?! Never heard of that before, but what a great idea :) We don't have those here.

[dukedogsmom]

I took Duke on Saturday to get blessed. Had been wanting to do it for years but never knew when it was happening. We even got a certificate for it. Was very nice.

[Logan]

We were supposed to attend one yesterday at a local Episcopal church. The rescue group was allowed to do an educational booth and Zipper and I were to attend. Unfortunately, our schedule just got too hectic and we didn't go. :(

But I'm glad to hear that some of you were able to go! That's wonderful!!! :)

[kimlovescats]

Good boy, Don Juan! ;)

[Jods]

Good boy Don Juan... I wish they did a pet blessing aroung here.... Glad a few people from PT got to go... Sounds like it turned out to be a good day!:D

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

This must be turning into a nationwide thing because I heard on the news last night that there was a church in or around Chicago that offered the pet blessings also. I think it's neat that the churches do this.

When we still had our motorcycles, there was one ride that we always did in the beginning of the year where they did a bike blessing. I have no idea who the guy was who did the blessing - if he was a real reverend or preacher or whatever - but we would hold hands and our other hands were on the bike, sort of to make the "flow" thing happen. We're not overly religious, but knowing that motorcycle riding is dangerous, we always made a point to attend this particular ride.

Anyway, now that I'm waaayyy off topic, Don Juan, what a special boy you are to have been the only one to be let out of your carrier. :D

[Killearn Kitties]

According to my Sunday paper, St Francis of Assisi died on 3 October 1226. Do you think that is why they do the pet blessing on that day?

[AmberLee]

Don Juan, you're such a special and good boy! Congrats to you and your Meowmy.

[Don Juan's mom]

Originally posted by Killearn Kitties
According to my Sunday paper, St Francis of Assisi died on 3 October 1226. Do you think that is why they do the pet blessing on that day?

Yes. It's his feast day.

They have a HUGE blessing at the Mission of San Francisco de Assisi in SF. And I once heard an NPR story about the blessing of the animals at St. John the Divine in New York City. The sounds included a canary, who added a very lovely cadenza to the Mozart playing on the organ.

Liz;)