A day of barks & meows for blessings
MANILA, Philippines - It was a day filled with dogs, cats and humans, too, as the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Pet Express held the annual Pet Blessing at SM North EDSA SkyDome.
I have attended many pet blessings over the years, yet each one is always a little more special than the last. Blame that on my getting on in years. Perhaps I have also become a little more sentimental.
It was raining that Sunday and I got to the SkyDome a little after 2 p.m. I smiled as I saw many humans and their pets seated patiently at the venue even if the special Mass was to start at 4 p.m. I was told that the humans and their pets started to arrive at about 2 p.m.
It is always a fun day for me when I see humans and their pets out on a family day. Since it was a Sunday and the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, it was a special day indeed.
By 4 p.m. there were about 600 humans and pets all excited for the pet blessing, which would follow the special Sunday Mass. The humans and pets who came out that day were excited‚ the dogs showing it by smelling around and barking to their hearts’ content.
The special Mass for the animals, which marked the celebration of World Animal Day, was officiated by Fr. Joey Paras.
A special prayer prepared for the Mass and recited by the humans went like this: “Lord, help us to remember that we live and work and love among the animals. Help us to be their friends, to love them and care for them and protect them from harm.”
I noticed that many were in tears during the candle-lit ceremony as pet parents recited the touching pet pledge, while cuddling their beloved fur babies.
At the end of the spcial blessing, rosaries and pet blessing certificates were handed out as souvenirs.
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Major sponsors of the event were Purina and GrabTaxi. Other sponsors included SM Skydome, Frontline Plus, Heartgard Plus, McDonald’s, SM Accessories, MAC Cosmetics, Pawsh Couture, Odra Pooch Couture, Disney, DC Comics, Toy Kingdom, Swell Sweets Approved Pet Diapers, Bayopet and STAR Pet Life Section.
