Blessing of the Animals

An article in the local Vallarta Tribune caught my eye. The third annual "Blessing of the Animals" was scheduled for yesterday. I decided to hike over and view the event. Sponsored by the SPCA-PV, it took place in the lovely chapel of Hacienda San Angel, above and behind the Cathedral.

When I arrived, the pews were full of people with pets on their laps and at their feet. More pet owners clustered around the perimeter of the chapel. It was a noisy affair with canines barking out warnings and greetings. Some appeared to be old friends, wagging tails and sniffing secrets. Fortunately they were all on leashes. There was no sign of any cats or other household pets like goldfish or snakes. Maybe they were concealed inside jackets!

A group of small dogs had been sent along with maids from the Hacienda and a small pug was sitting in a baby stroller. When I tried to photograph the pug, I was informed that he didn't like paparazzi!! McGinnis, a service dog was closely attached to his visually impaired companion. Another large dog with unkempt hair joined the gathering. He was a labradoodle who had the misfortune of not inheriting kinky poodle hair. and his owner acknowledged that he was having a bad hair day!

This special service took place on the feast day of San Antonio. He was a hermit saint who died in the deserts of Egypt during the fourth century AD. It is believed that his only companions during lonely days of fasting and prayer were the animals. The service was read in Spanish and English before Father Juan Francisco Gradilla Gutierrez wandered through the gathering, sprinkling holy water on all the pets. Ooops!...He passed by the folks with the pug! In near panic, the woman clutched the little creature to her bosom and ran up the aisle to Father Gutierrez. He smiled and sprinkled water on both of them.

Just then, a single minded little dog broke away from his owner on the street outside and ran into the chapel with his leash dragging behind. A blessing was sprinkled on him, he sniffed the air, looked around and ran back outside..

Following the service, the congregation was invited across the street to Hacienda San Angel for snacks. Pets were welcome. That was my first sighting of several cats that had been at the chapel, carefully protected from the hazards of canines. Donations to the SPCA were gratefully received.