Posted on 10/09/2005 11:22:28 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Pets get lesson on howl great thou art
By NICOLE MORGAN , The Virginian-Pilot
© October 10, 2005
Last updated: 1:31 AM
VIRGINIA BEACH
Before church, a dirty blonde with a pink ribbon in her hair shared a few wet kisses with a broad-bodied brute outside the sanctuary. No one paid them any mind.
The others were too busy sniffing each others' bottoms and wolfing down snacks just a few seconds before worship.
Visitors behave this way every second Sunday of the month at Old Donation Episcopal Church on North Witchduck Road.
They're not sacrilegious. They're dogs. And one cat.
Their owners brought them to Paws, Prayers and Praise , a service where pet lovers can express their love for God and their four-legged companions.
At 5 o'clock, some dogs raced, dragging their owners, while others sauntered into the sanctuary. Terriers, a poodle and several mutts climbed onto the pews or sprawled out on the floor.
Everyone seemed to pay attention, ears peaked and eyes forward, as lay member Marti Jones began:
"If there is an accident, we know that does happen. We have some supplies, paper towels and wipes, in the back."
Bucky , an 11-year-old springer spaniel, let out a bark that bounced off the slate floor and white walls, echoing in the tiny church, which dates to about 1637 .
"Bucky, we're not singing yet," Jones said. But soon the congregation did. Owners sang the melodies; dogs chimed in with barking. Molly the cat meowed.
A guitarist strummed along, the songs mostly about joy, or Jesus being the lord of heaven and earth. They also read from the b ook of Psalms .
Bucky could be heard breathing heavily and munching on snacks during the meditations.
A nearby Chihuahua tucked in the crook of his owner's arm snapped his head around and gave Bucky what appeared to be a dirty look as the spaniel pounced on the pew and rattled the bag for more.
Then there was a poem celebrating Molly , who was recently adopted from PetSmart .
"Accord me the courtesy due to a cat. ... Indulge my curiosity and I will show you the joys of bird watching, star gazing and other kitty pleasures. ... "
They said a prayer for sick dogs, such as Jackson , a 16-year-old border collie mix whose owner, Pat Wilson, said her pet would need to be put to sleep soon.
"She used to take care of all the moles and voles in the yard," Wilson said. Now she's had two strokes and can't sit. "She's been a sweet dog for 16 years," Wilson said, crying.
The services have been fun and comforting to pet owners, said Jones, who started them in May last year .
She and a few other lay members lead them . And Jones gets special time to share with her two dogs, Angie , a golden retriever mix, and Pumpkin , a Pomeranian .
"For many people, their cats and their dogs are their kids," Jones said.
"It doesn't matter what kind of church it is. It's for everybody," she said. "If that means finding your way to God through your pet, then fabulous."
© 2005 HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com
Ping!
Could someone direct me to an asylum where the inmates are not in charge, please?
The others were too busy sniffing each others' bottoms and wolfing down snacks just a few seconds before worship.
Is this 'Church' in Greenwich Village or San Francisco?
HOWL ping...
I can't decide whether this is cute or just nuts. Anyway, DO ping me when the cat baptizing starts.
LOL!
I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked ...
No, it's not, but please note that it's an Episcopalian church. You know, the kind where you can't play chess because they can't tell the bishop from the queen. I'm a Catholic, but my dog is a Frisbeetarian: they believe that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof.
There are some LOLs on this thread. Heads up on cat baptizing...
The Blessing of Animals/Pets Sunday was recently held in MA., besides, there's room in heaven for all God's creatures or I'm not going.
Amen, hershey! I woudn't want it any other way!
Now it's smack dab in the middle of the out-of-control sprawl known as Virginia Beach.Virginia.
If you're interested, there's a brief history of the church here. Old Donation
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