Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

What a heartwarming story. I'm so glad that Pete is with his loving forever home and that you were able to have a wonderful visit with him and his new family! I think the blessing of the animals is wonderful. I'd love to take my precious ones to have them blessed. God has truly blessed me with them. And He has truely blessed us through this mess called Hurricane Ike!
Have a safe journey and thank you for sharing this with us!

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

I agree- the Blessing of the Pets (it's called here), is the most beautiful ceremony! And it's about time. One of the most touching stories I have ever heard in the hundreds of pet related ones shared, is about a mix named RIVER. He was spotted near Charlottesville Va wondering the streets, when a college age woman decided to try and pick him up. He was filthy with fur tangled and he was very thin. When she stopped her car, the dog willingly went to her, and from there he became her dog. She went home every weekend from school to be with her new friend. Sadly, a year later, the young woman became ill. This dog, rescued and by now adored, decided to return this woman's love, and during the remaining year of her life, he did not leave her side. He slept, ate, and drank by her side. The outings for bathroom breaks were brief, and afterwards he charged back into ''their'' room to be by her side...she passed away, and after that, River, in what seemed like an ongoing tribute to his Mom, would not enter that room again. Instead, he would sit outside the door and look in- what was he thinking, I wonder?
Long story stortened- when his Grandmom (who took over his care) called me about having the dog's sculpture done, I met this dog, River. He not only greeted me, but took a flying leap into my arms- followed by tons of kisses that I happily accepted. The Grandmom looked shocked, and I wondered whether I wasn't supposed to allow River such a sloppy greeting of a stranger- she told me that River had never, in all the time they'd known him, greeted anyone that way except one person- his owner, the one who had passed. I felt honored! So River and I have been very close ever since. He was recently blessed by the Pope for his devotion and ongoing love for that sweet woman who spotted him wondering the streets- thin and in need- and for the love and service he gave back to her. We are blessed~

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

Grace Episcopal Church, Galveston, my church, sustained a lot damage in Hurricane Ike. I am not sure if we will enjoy the "Blessing of the Animals" this year. So many lost so much, including pets, this may be seem trivial and may be an impossibilty.

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

The Blessing of the Animals is so touching and inspirational. I'm so glad Pete (and you) were able to be there.

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

What a great story. Yes, the animals who go in and out of your life are blessed. And you are their blessing.

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

My goodness- bless River...they do know instinctively when we need them. He certainly loved his owner.

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

My mom goes to an episcopal church, and she takes Cinnamon pretty often. She didn't take her this time for St. Francis's Day (she wasn't groomed well enough to go), but did take a picture so she could be blessed by proxy. Her church also does what they call "Paws, Prayer, and Praise" the second Sunday of every month, where people can bring their pets up to the church that evening (usually 5pm) for a small service and have their pets blessed. I think it's a great idea :)

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

The blessing of the animals is a beautiful tradition and we should all celebrate it. Animals are God's creatures too. They play an important role in our ecosystem and in our lives. Our pets, of course, play a bigger role since they provide us with unconditional love.

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

The blessing of the animals is wonderful. There is nothing like that around here at all. You are so lucy. But I am blessed everyday I think to be allowed to have my two wonderful dogs and two cats(down from five now). We were also so blessed to have had our previous animals...Smokey...Autumn...Ti-Ti, Moosie and Dry. They have all crossed over the bridge now and we still miss them so...But the sadness with their passing is worth it. I will never be without a dog...ever...

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

Human blesses a dog? Shoud be the other way around.

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

I have to say I agree with rescueman. :)

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

It is wonderful to hear that Pete is doing so well and has been blessed. I have wondered how he was doing as stories about him were posted when I first joined Animal Attraction. I am sorry that my friend tracytiger's church was damaged so severly from Hurricane Ike. I continue to pray that she and all the victims of hurricanes find a way to start again and build their lives anew. God be with you all.

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

I prefer the company of Animals than most humans any day

Re: Episco-Pete Gets Blessed

eOur little Episcopal Church here in East Texas has the Animal blessing every year, we took our five '"rescues" as always and it was a lovely sunny day and we hasd doggy biscuits and someone actuallydonated a statuete of St Francis to brighten a corner of our garden. I don't think I know anybody who doesn't have a pet, we have been here for 33 years and have never been without at least 2 or 3 dogs.