Animal blessing will be Oct. 6

#Middlebury #BlessingOfTheAnimals

Flanking the Blessing of the Animals sign at St. George’s Church are, left to right, The Rev. Dr. Andrew Zeman and church members Mary Lou Arnson with her dog Ziggy; Beverly Dassonville with her dogs, Elsa, Chloe and Wiley; and quarter horse Diva in the Dark with her owner, Corinne Fabian. (Marjorie Needham photo)

The annual Blessing of the Animals will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church at 393 Tucker Hill Road in Middlebury, rain or shine. Animals will be blessed by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Zeman throughout the day.

We asked Rev. Zeman about the most unusual pet he blessed. He said, “A snail.” It was a child’s pet.

Elsa receives a blessing from Rev. Zeman. (Marc Dassonville photo)

He said last year he blessed 99 dogs, six cats and one snake (a ball python). In the past he also has blessed horses and donkeys. There is no charge for the blessing, and all animals are welcome.

In addition to the blessing, Brass City Alliance and possibly other rescues will be there with adoptable pets. Dog trainers Eagle K-9 Academy of Bethany will be there, as will artist Shawna Lee Kwashnak who creates pet portraits. Blue Moon Raptors will bring birds of prey and information on raptors and raptor rehabilitation. There will be on-site dog grooming, and vendors will sell dog clothing and dog collars. African jewelry and statues and pictures made of natural items. A pet basket will be raffled off.

Refreshments for people and for pets will be available for purchase. All proceeds go to local pet rescues.