Woof!

Andrea Fallaque, 10, was blessed with kisses from Sienna, a 4-month-old King Charles cavelier spaniel at St. Mary Church, Greenwich CT.

Animal blessings are always wonderful.  The animals seem to like the attention from the priests, and the people at the service are happy having their best friends there.  This is all a celebration of  St. Francis, the saint who loved all things great and small.  His day is October 6th, and more and more churches are holding services for the four legged and winged. Recently I went to the blessing at St. Mary Church, Greenwich CT.

Rev. Rolando Torres blesses Baby Pelussa, held and loved by owner Laura Gill, 11.

Rev. Rolando Torres about to bless Boomer, who is held by Margaret Casey

St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford CT even has monthly pet blessings on the third Sunday of the week at 4:00 pm.  My dog Tango has had so many blessings there that she must be up for sainthood!

In spite of the little horns, Tango is very good.

And speaking of saints, Greenwich churches have some really beautiful stained glass windows of dogs.

St. Roch Church, Byram CT, has a window of St. Roch’s dog. The story goes that St. Roch, before he was a saint, was a soldier in France. During the war he was badly wounded.  A stray dog came to his aid, licking his wounds and bringing him bread to eat.  St.Roch left the soldiering life, feeling that God had saved his life – with some help from the dog, I imagine.  The dog should have been sainted too, don’t you think?  Well, at least he is honored with a window and some nice statues.

St. Roch and his faithful dog at St.Roch Church, Byram, CT

St. Roch and his dog.

St. Michael Church, Greenwich CT, has a beautiful window with a golden retriever with Jesus.  Historically this would not have happened.  The golden retriever breed came later than that, in the 1800′s.  However, I have to meet a golden retriever who was not a saint.

The golden retriever with the frightened apostles and Jesus.