Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  In a town where many dogs have a Subaru and most Subarus have a dog, it is no wonder that there would be a time and place to have them blessed. They are our copilots, ears flying in the wind, drool sliming the windows. They are our buddies, waiting for us to come back home and feed them. And they are our cuddlers, always willing to receive a hug and give a smile.

Last Sunday, Nederland Community Presbyterian Church’s pastor Hansen Wendlandt followed a church tradition and gave blessings unto the dogs and their owners as they all sat in the church garden. The dogs were straining at their leashes to greet each other as their people listened to Pastor Wendlandt’s words mingled with those of St. Francis Assisi and based on one by Albert Schweitzer.

“Hear our humble prayer O God, for friends, the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated; for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all those who live free, and all those in captivity.

“We pray especially for those animals, who are lost from our families and for those animals that must be put down. We entreat for them all your mercy and pity.”

After the prayer, Wendlandt and fellow Presbyterian pastor Stan Adamson blessed each dog in attendance asking God to grant them love and long life, health and well-being.

Big dogs, a Saint Bernard, and little dogs, Chihuahua mixes, accepted the blessing. Shawn and Rambo, Mustang and Cobra, and even Milo, Ray Rovey’s service dog, listened to the words solemnly and then began to wiggle around, sniffing, wondering if there was anything to eat.

Wendlandt says that the blessing of the animals will continue to be an annual event.

“People ask for it.”