It’s A Dog’s Life—

The Blessing Of The Animals

By Mary Jane Anderson

Animals have been around from the beginning of time. To discover the origins of dogs, however, we need to go back in history to ancient man. The book Dogs, by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger, traces the domestic dog we have today as a distinct species from the wolves. The authors show the different abilities of animals through their nurture, genetically and environmentally, that have become an important part in the relationship between dogs and humans.

In the beginning, the animals stayed outside of the camps eating the leftover food similar to the wild animals we have in our parks today. Eventually, a new species gradually evolved over time and became the “neighborhood dogs.” It has been suggested that the animals adapted to civilization. One way or another, man did modify the dog’s behavior so that the animal could be of use to him. Man trained sheepdogs or other hunting and working dogs, relying on the dog’s innate behavior to earn a living.

Today, most of our dogs are pets that are spoiled and pampered. The pet lovers wanted to remember and have their dogs blessed in health and a long life. So, the tradition of blessing their animal was started, with many churches in the area inviting people to bring their animals for a special gathering to commemorate St Francis of Assisi, a man well remembered for his love of nature and its creatures.

More than 800 years ago, on a sunny summer day, a small man, clad in a worn robe, walked in the green fields of Italy; raising his head to the sky, he called to the birds, “My little sisters the birds, much do you receive from God your Creator. God feeds you and gives you the rivers and the fountains to drink from…the tall trees wherein to build your nests…God clothes you…so beware, little sisters of mine, of the sin of ingratitude, and even strive to praise God.”

All creatures are kin and the joy on earth was real and lasting for Francis. The relationship of animals and people goes back to the first book of Genesis in the Bible when Adam was told to name all the creatures and God said, “I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds and all the wild animals.” From that time on, animals have been helpers to man. In fact, since ancient times, in almost every civilization, religious symbols have been linked with animals.

The blessing is two-fold for the animal and the family who care for them. The churches bless a variety of animals — horses, calves, sheep, cats, and dogs — in all different shapes, sizes, and color, including birds, rabbits, mice, gerbils, and hamsters.

The service is held outdoors or in the church where the blessings are done at the altar. However, one minister said, “Even through there were not accidents on the concrete floor, it became a zoo with the dogs barking and confusion. I think that the animals feel more comfortable outside on a sunny, warm, October afternoon.”

The scene is impressive as the animals and their masters form a single file, or gather in a circle. One by one the animals are blessed. The mixture of ancient and contemporary customs show the love and companionship between the animal and his master.