St. Armands Key Lutheran Church blesses pets

It was all about furry friends on Nov. 4 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.

Church members brought their pets to be blessed in honor of St.  Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology.

The Rev. Ken Blyth welcomed all guests, furry or not, to the annual service and called on two images that remind him of the importance of animals and their relationship with humans.

The first was a Facebook meme saying “One day I hope to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.” Drawing laughs from the crowd, Blyth continued by explaining pets see something lovable in their owners.

“It speaks to me of the unconditional love our pets see in us,” he said.

The second image comes from animal adoption commercials. Blyth explained that these two images are opposing bookends. The commercials, which often include sad music, portray animals that have no home or human to look to.

“Animals suffer the consequences until another human with a bigger heart reaches out,” he said.

Blythe continued the service by blessing of all the animals individually. After the service, guests enjoyed cake while cats and dogs munched on treats.