The Blessing of the Animals at St. John’s, Shaughnessy (SJS) was a joyful celebration of and for our furry friends.
The service began with the Greeting from the Reverend Fr. Michael Forshaw, Honorary Assistant priest at SJS. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
It was Father Forshaw’s idea to plan a Blessing of the Animals liturgy on or about the Feast of St. Francis, October 4th, as there was no record of this kind of worship being celebrated at SJS, at least not in recent memory.
By 1:45pm, on Saturday, October 5th, 2013, a beautiful early fall morning had developed into an even nicer fall afternoon as the nave of the church on Nanton Street began to fill with a collection of dogs and their owners.
One of the stars of the show was Honeybear, a rescue dog, a female Shih Tzu of uncertain age (the vet thinks she may be around 7) who has an extremely disturbing history. Honeybear’s human companion said that Honeybear had been kept imprisoned in a puppy mill in a confined space from the time that she was first able to bear pups. The veterinarian caring for Honeybear said that she had birthed many litters but was now unable to give birth to live puppies. It is likely that because of this, the puppy mill owners discarded her, which they did literally by putting her in a dumpster. She was rescued and brought to the SPCA to go up for adoption as part of the rescue dog program.
Dalai, a 12 year old female Lhasa Apso has a history of intolerance toward other dogs but she had no problems with Honeybear or any of the other dogs that day. It must have been the spirit of St. Francis.
Other guests included two Bichon Frise, Pixie and her pal, 15 year old Finnigan. Pixie and Finnigan are the personal friends of Tammy Preast who owns Love on a Leash – Dog Care Services. Pixie and Finnigan brought Tammy along to the service.
Money raised at the service will be forwarded to the Paws for Hope Animal Foundation (Roxy’s Fund) and dog food donated at the service will be given to our animal friends in the Downtown Eastside.
Images: Top and homepage, St. John’s, Shaughnessy incumbent, the Reverend Fr. Michael Fuller blesses Honeybear. Below 1, Father Fuller blessing Pixie as Finnigan waits his turn. Below 2, Father Forshaw blessing Dalai who is being held by St. Mary’s, Kerrisdale parishioner, Brenda Berck.