Pets blessed at annual ceremony

More than a dozen four-legged critters gathered at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on Saturday for the fourth annual Blessing of the Animals.

The Rev. Dorothy Lindstrom led the short ceremony outside the church. Participants read prayers and asked for the well-being of their pets.

The event typically takes place on or around Oct. 4 in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who is recognized as the patron saint of animals.

Most of the animals in attendance were dogs. A few cats and one rabbit also received a blessing from Lindstrom.

Ofelia Granado, a Turlock resident, took her Yorkshire terrier, Lulu, to the event. Granado explained that Lulu suffers from portosystemic shunts, a condition that carries blood around the liver instead of through it.

“It’s just heartwarming,” Granado said about the event. “I didn’t know that they had this.”

The pets were treated to biscuits and other goodies after the ceremony.

This story was originally published October 3, 2015 at 8:24 PM with the headline "Pets blessed at annual ceremony."