AUBURN - While SPCA workers are used to seeing surrendered and abandoned animals, a ceremony Saturday allowed them to view pets who are considered part of their owners' families.
Carol Russell, executive director of the Finger Lakes Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Central New York, brought the Catholic tradition of the Blessing of the Animals to pet owners and her shelter's tenants Saturday.
The Rev. Eugene Dobosz stood under a tree in the SPCA's front yard reading scripture in between dogs whimpering and yelping . A dozen people brought pets to receive the blessing in the warm morning. Workers also brought out a few cats in carriers and three puppies who arrived at the shelter the day before the ceremony.
Dobosz also went into the shelter and blessed those animals.
Russell, who grew up in the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn, has organized these blessings for the past five years. The church honors St. Francis of Assisi's respect for nature and animals with the ceremony.
Russell said holds the blessing ceremony to keep her animals healthy and to pray for new homes. The shelter currently houses 60 cats and 18 to 20 dogs.
“We do anything we can do for the animals. ... We hope for homes for all the animals. Good homes,” Russell said.
Over the years, she only has seen the two common domestic animals, dogs and cats. However, this year two unusual canine breeds were at the ceremony. A Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog, complete with spots and the ability to climb trees, and a Hungarian Vizsla dog were blessed.
Seeing people bring their animals shows Russell there are people who have embraced their felines and canine family members and want to do anything to make sure they're healthy and happy.
“That's the kind of people we're looking for to adopt our animals,” she said.
Dobosz spoke of animals being people's companions and having an important place in the world.
Anne Bunnell brought her 12-year-old dog because she is getting on in doggy years.
“I thought she could use all the help she could get,” Bunnell said.
Her dog, Blaze, spent the rest of her morning celebrating nature by running around Casey Park.
“Now I have blessed them holy, so now you must keep them holy,” Dobosz joked with the pet owners after the ceremony.
“I love dogs but they don't always love me,” he added with a laugh.
He also was at St. Francis Church to bless animals throughout the day.
“They are God's creatures. We just have to love them,” Dobosz said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
The Rev. Eugene Dobosz stood under a tree in the SPCA's front yard reading scripture in between dogs whimpering and yelping . A dozen people brought pets to receive the blessing in the warm morning. Workers also brought out a few cats in carriers and three puppies who arrived at the shelter the day before the ceremony.
Dobosz also went into the shelter and blessed those animals.
Russell, who grew up in the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn, has organized these blessings for the past five years. The church honors St. Francis of Assisi's respect for nature and animals with the ceremony.
Russell said holds the blessing ceremony to keep her animals healthy and to pray for new homes. The shelter currently houses 60 cats and 18 to 20 dogs.
“We do anything we can do for the animals. ... We hope for homes for all the animals. Good homes,” Russell said.
Over the years, she only has seen the two common domestic animals, dogs and cats. However, this year two unusual canine breeds were at the ceremony. A Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog, complete with spots and the ability to climb trees, and a Hungarian Vizsla dog were blessed.
Seeing people bring their animals shows Russell there are people who have embraced their felines and canine family members and want to do anything to make sure they're healthy and happy.
“That's the kind of people we're looking for to adopt our animals,” she said.
Dobosz spoke of animals being people's companions and having an important place in the world.
Anne Bunnell brought her 12-year-old dog because she is getting on in doggy years.
“I thought she could use all the help she could get,” Bunnell said.
Her dog, Blaze, spent the rest of her morning celebrating nature by running around Casey Park.
“Now I have blessed them holy, so now you must keep them holy,” Dobosz joked with the pet owners after the ceremony.
“I love dogs but they don't always love me,” he added with a laugh.
He also was at St. Francis Church to bless animals throughout the day.
“They are God's creatures. We just have to love them,” Dobosz said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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