[marleysmummy]

Hi Everyone!

Marley and I have been invited to a 'Blessing of the Animals' ceremony this afternoon. I have never been to one before, and I am not sure what to expect!

I believe there are 8 dogs attending and will all be blessed, then afterwards they will be playing in the pool, running about etc whilst the owners have a bite to eat and drinks.

I just wonder what Marley will be expected to do, I have had him bathed and groomed and he's all ready to go, but will he be expected to sit still the whole time, or will nobody mind if he goes charging through the garden and knocks the Pastor into the pool?!

I don't really know the people who are hosting it, I met them through the 'Beach Doggy Club' and tehy very nicely invited us to join in this weekend, but I am so nervous!!

 

[fuzzbuzz]

Its nothing to worry about. All Marley will be asked to do is to either sit or stand (with all 4 feet on the ground) so the pastor can bless him. That's it! The pastor I'm sure knows the dogs will be excited and he'll be fine with them But if he knocks the pastor in the pool PLEASE make sure someone video's it so we can see it

You'll have fun and Marley will have a blast with the other dogs. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Penny & Maggie's Mom]

Blessing of the Animals is a wonderful, fun time. It celebrates St Francis as the patron saint of animals. All sorts of animals are brought to be blessed and celebrated. Marley should be leashed as there are usually all sorts of animals. Here is some info.... all the ones I've been to are very casual and tons of fun. http://www.americancatholic.org/features/francis/blessing.asp

 

[LibertyME]

Go and have a good time!
He will be on leash he can sit and/or lay down...you can bring some cookies with you for a distraction if you want...
Dont forget to bring a poop bag and one for a friend!

 

[Daisybones]

Ceremony

If it were at my house I would love for Marley to knock anyone into the pool:. I have never been to one either but I would definitely go if Hudson and I were asked. What a sweet thing to do.

 

[marleysmummy]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I am taking the camera and will be sure to take lots of photos to share!

Marley loves the lady who is hosting it, and luckily she loves him too and doesn't mind when he takes a dip in her pool and helps himself to a lounger to dry off!

Marley will be happy to see all his new buddies from the beach too!!

 

[Willow52]

I took Maggie to a Blessing of Animals many years ago. It was held at our church. There wasn't a party afterwards though. :scratchch Sounds like fun!

 

[LibertyME]

How did it go?
Did Marley have a good time?
Did the Pastor stay dry?

 

[paula bedard]

Waiting for pictures! I've always wanted to attend the Blessing here in DC. Sam would have been fine to take to a blessing but Ike's a bit rambunctious.
I always said next year and then Sam was gone...no more next years.
I hope you enjoyed yours today.

 

[marleysmummy]

The blessing went very well, we had 10 dogs attend, and the Pastor gave a lovely service. His 10 year old daughter fell in love with Marley.

The Pastor stayed dry, but unfortunately Marley came out the pool and decided to shake himself dry all over the Pastors wife, she didn't seem to mind though.

10 dogs off leash in one house and they all behaved amazingly well, and so did most of the owners too!!

 

[fuzzbuzz]

Glad you had a good time and all went well. A little pool water never hurt anyone.

 

[BeauShel]

Marley was just giving his blessing back to her, since her husband blessed him.

 

[hoop4321]

that is so cute...sharing his blessings...LOL we can learn so much from our pups!

 

[pburchins]

They do the blessing at our Catholic Church on a Annual basis. It's amazing how many people and animals were there. Last summer our church had a professional photography company come out and take family photos to put in the church directory and also sell photography services.

Our oldest son was in college and our youngest was on his way so we went to take the family photo. As we were all getting dressed everyone kept looking at our Golden who was 12 at the time. My wife knew I wanted him to go with us but I did not say anything. Next thing I knew she was in the dog closet finding a collar to match the rest of the family. We were in shades of yellow and he had his yellow collar on.

We got to church and I have to admit we got a few stares as we walked in with him but at that point we could care less. The photographer was great and spent a lot of time with us and took some great photos. When the directories came out we were one of two families who brought their dog. The funny thing is how many people came up to us saying your the family with the beautiful Golden named Riker in the church directory in church, grocery stores and banks, lol. They were nice enough to put his name in there with ours.

We were lucky to have him 13 years but we lost him in February but it was a nice memory that we have on the shelf. I am glad the churches are realizing that pets are family members as well.

I agree with Will Rogers........."If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

 

[mybuddy]

OMG...I have never heard of this, never been to one but if I could I would! I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!!! Oh, I wish there was something like that here. I almost want to start one of my own.

I know that Martha ( gold4me ) takes hers to blessings, at her church I think. She loves it.

Oh, I just love this. I hope to see some pics!

 

[marleysmummy]

OMG...I have never heard of this, never been to one but if I could I would! I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!!! Oh, I wish there was something like that here. I almost want to start one of my own.

I know that Martha ( gold4me ) takes hers to blessings, at her church I think. She loves it.

Oh, I just love this. I hope to see some pics!

I had never heard of it either. But I guess Jackie who is an expat living here used to attend them in the US and was missing them, so arranged with her local Pastor (a really nice man from South Africa/England) to do these blessings at her home. He is thrilled to do them. I think it's usually done 4th of October for St Francis but Jackie was unable to have it on that date this year.

She is an amazing woman, she just rolled back all the rugs an her floor opened up her balconies and pool had bowls of water everywhere for the dogs, she is a true dog-lover and when we were leaving they all got a little bag of home-made cookies!!

And for the humans she had made a roast and then everyone else brought salads and side dishes (there were about 16 humans and 10 dogs!)

I am hoping someone will send me photos of the day as my camera wouldn't work

 

[mybuddy]

Oh WOW, she does sound like an amazing woman. I am going to ask about this tomorrow.

Sounds like you had a wonderful day, full of blessings. I wish I were there! Hugs to you and your Marley.

 

[pt83]

The blessing went very well, we had 10 dogs attend, and the Pastor gave a lovely service. His 10 year old daughter fell in love with Marley.

The Pastor stayed dry, but unfortunately Marley came out the pool and decided to shake himself dry all over the Pastors wife, she didn't seem to mind though.

10 dogs off leash in one house and they all behaved amazingly well, and so did most of the owners too!!

They all behaved? whyyyyy?? I was really looking forward to a video of Marley knocking over the pastor to the pool!!! :::

Kidding aside, I never heard such a thing too, and I think it's interesting and nice that pets also treated as family members

 

[MyBaileyGirl]

Here is Bailey getting blessed last month!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3208925&l=05850527b1&id=688660068

 

[mybuddy]

That is a sweet pic!