Dog Collars

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

This morning I journeyed to St. Michael's for the Blessing of the Pets. My red dog Frankie was the lucky winner that got to make the journey. Both she and I put on our collars, and headed out. It was a beautiful morning. I take 171 to Fayette. It is a quiet curvy highway. And this morning it was filled with fields turning white, as the cotton has started popping out. 

Frankie turned out to be the right choice. She road in the car like a champ. Played with the other dogs. Looked curiously at the horses, and thankfully did not notice the cats or the parrot. She was blessed, ate some milk bones and had a grand time. 

Pet Blessings are really one of the most joyful things. You can't help but have fun when there is a parade of animals. It is a fitting tribute to St. Francis of Assisi. So many of the stories we have about St. Francis involve animals. Francis preaching to the birds and the Wolf of Gubbio to name a few. And it is a good a worthy thing to bless our companion animals. Our pets are gifts from God. They are examples of unconditional love and service. They remind us that we have responsibilities to take care of God's creation.

So thanks be to God for St. Francis and the reminder to find joy in creation and to accept the responsibility of being good stewards. And God bless Frankie, Lucy, Ally, and Zoe (the cat), who bring so much joy and humor into my life.