Blessings Of Pets And Animals

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- Pets are often times considered to be our best friends.

So to show gratitude for them, dozens of the pet owners gathered together at All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo for the 22nd annual Blessings of the Pets and Animals service.

“We’ve been here almost every year at this event,” said Mary Howard-King.

Howard-King said she’s a huge animal lover.

“We have three dogs and about five or six cats, currently,” she said.

Howard-King knows how much of a blessing and a gift animals are.

She said all five of her furry friends have brought a ton of love and excitement into her home and her life.

“There’s nothing better when you’re having a down day than to have your dog come rushing in and greet you with those kisses and bounces in your lap,” said Howard-King.

So to show her appreciation for her pets, Howard-King, along with many other pet owners, brought their animals be blessed during the service.

“It certainly means something for us as the owners of the animals to have them blessed and to acknowledge their specialness in our lives,” said Howard-King.

“Each of the animals are blessed individually, by name, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to be with God’s creation,” said Pastor Paul Stephens, All Saints Episcopal Church.

Pastor  Stephens walked around and blessed a variety of different animals during the service.

“I just call them by name and then bless them in name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, as I’m usually rubbing their heads, if they’ll let me do that,” said Pastor Stephens. “If they won’t, I’ll just bless them from afar.”

Pastor Stephens said animals, just like humans, are apart of God’s creation.  And if we can be blessed so can the animals.

“I love doing this,” he said. ‘I bless dogs, cats, snakes, scorpions, and monkeys, tortoises, hares and lots of other animals in between.”