"Aerial Views" by Brad Senne---acoustic folk rock

Aerial Views by Brad Senne

Furry friends receive blessings

By Michael Wood, QMI Agency CALGARY - Blessed be the hairy who turned out for the 14th annual animal service at Cathedral Church of the Redeemer.
About 100 Calgarians and their four-legged friends attended Saturday's Blessing of the Animals led by minister Gordon Jackson, who parlayed pet parables into a sermon addressing the importance of forgiveness.
Much like the give and take that comes with affection for animal companions, "forgiveness is something we both give and receive," Jackson said.
All creatures great and small were welcome to the blessing, which began with the largest in attendance — Kowboy, a member of the Calgary Police Service's equestrian mounted unit led by Const. Derrick McGougan.
Clutching an eight-week-old chocolate lab named Sawyer and a plastic shopping bag with a roll of toilet paper, Val Morrison said the event was a way to commemorate the animals of her life.
"It's to give thanks to God for all our special friends - our pets," she said.
Jessica De La Fuente brought her large English mastiff Bentley for a blessing, and a photo of her now deceased rottweiler, Benson, over which she prayed.
"It's pretty special in this day and age to have your dog blessed," she said.
One of two cat owners seen amongst the crowd of dogs and dog owners, Deanna Nichols admitted while she doesn't consider herself a part of any organized religion, she felt compelled to attend the event with her Devon Rex, Maow.
"Every animal can use a little blessing," she said.http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/10/16/15718086.html?cid=rssnewscanada