St. Armands honors St. Francis of Assisi with pet blessing

The theme for the Rev. Eric Wogen’s reflection was unconditional love at Sunday’s annual pet blessing service. The love he spoke of was the love a pet has for its owner.

But when rain started to pour down over St. Armands Key Lutheran Church’s meditation garden, it became clear how much love owners have for their pets. Due to weather, the service had to be moved indoors.

Before the move, though, owners and their pets huddled together, trying to stay dry. No one left. Owners held their pets close, sharing umbrellas with them to shield them from the rain. To those present, getting their four-legged friends blessed was too important.

Wogen led the group inside and began the service. He said pets are faithful and dependable and that people should love those around them as much as they love their pets.

“If your pets didn’t have you to provide for them, what would happen to them?” Wogen asked. “God gives us these gifts, and we’re to take care of them.”

Only two cats were present amid the sea of dogs, but all were welcome. Though no owners were new pet parents, some have been attending this service longer than others.

For the past five years, Joe Orear has been bringing his long-haired miniature dachshund, Gunner, to the pet blessing. This year, Orear sported a shirt with a picture of Gunner as a puppy on it that his niece designed. He said he thinks Gunner was the oldest pet present at 17 years old.

“We think it’s so important, and Pastor Wogen makes it so outstanding,” he said.

The pet blessing was held in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of animals. His feast day was Oct. 4.