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Dogs of all shapes and sizes went to be blessed at the special service for pets. :: M. B.
All things bright and beautiful

All things bright and beautiful

Pets were welcome at animal blessing services in Malaga last weekend

MINDY BURROWS

Monday, 16 October 2017, 09:00

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Reports by national veterinary associations state that nearly forty per cent of households in Spain have a pet; in the province of Malaga there are nearly 600,000 animals on the Registro Andaluz de Identificación Animal (RAIA), of which a large majority are dogs. There are over 100 mentions of animals in the bible (but, interestingly, no acknowledgment of cats); Pope Francis has spoken several times of the value of caring for animals, and questioned how we can possibly mistreat them or cause them harm when all creatures are important in the eyes of Jesus.

The important role that animals play in people's lives in Spain and in the bible, as explained by Reverend Doreen Cage of St George's Church Malaga, justifies their presence in church services around the province last week.

Wednesday 4 October was the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. The day coincides with World Animal Day.

To mark the event in Malaga, on Saturday St George's Church had their annual animal blessing service, which celebrated creation and the animals in Malaga, both in and out of the church service.

Reverend Doreen Cage opened the service by saying that, as an animal lover, nothing could phase her and the owners of the animals attending were not to worry about their pets misbehaving. She said that she was happy to leave church that day covered in fur.

Unsurprisingly, the animals who had come to be blessed were all dogs, but the congregation was invited to bring photos of their pets that were unable to attend to be blessed.

The service revolved around animals, their importance and the unwavering love they give to those who care for them. The reverend mentioned that the love that pets give us is a reflection of God's unconditional love for us. A selection of hymns about nature and creatures was sung, one of which was based on a poem written by Saint Francis of Assisi. As the service drew to a close, the animals were invited to go to the front one by one to receive their blessing. For this, the reverend laid a hand on the dogs, or over the photos brought of pets, and prayed for them and for their owners.

Reverend Cage pointed out that several of the dogs in attendance were rescue dogs found in the local area whose owners told of their troubled pasts. Among them was three-year-old Chispa, whose owner described how she was found on the side of the road, as a puppy, with two dislocated hips and had to have life-altering surgery within a month of being found.

The Reverend stressed that in Malaga there is a very high number of abandoned animals, because hunters leave dogs on the side of the road when they are no longer able to perform. During the service, the work of animal shelters and people who care for abandoned animals was praised. Reverend Doreen Cage herself has strong connections with some of the local shelters and explained how she goes there and often fosters or adopts the problematic dogs; these dogs could be unwell, pregnant, have behavioural issues, or just need special attention.

After the service, the dogs were given treats which the reverend said they were entirely deserving of due to their impeccable behaviour throughout the service. She called upon the members of the congregation to invite their friends, human and otherwise, to next year's animal blessing service.

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