doesnt Baxter look excited?
In honor of St. Francis a lot of the churches in the area were having a "Blessing of the Pets" ceremony. Even though I am not very religious... and am not a church-goer, I decided that my little Baxter needed some blessing. I figured that he had a rough start to his life and has a hurt foot.. so he needs all of the help he can get. Whether that be from divine intervention or not- I figured it couldn't hurt. So, we went to the National Cathedral in Washington DC for their ceremony. On the front steps of the National Cathedral there was a small service with St. Francis' prayer, a hymn, and a small lecture about the importance of environmental protection and love for all creatures great and small. It was actually really nice. Afterwards, there were ministers from the Church that came to each animal and did an individual blessing for them and their owner. Baxter got a little bit of holy water rubbed on his head, and they said a blessing for him to bring joy to others and to have a long, happy, and peaceful life.
He tolerated everything really well. He even tolerated the fact that there were at least 100 dogs there! He really was not scared at all, and the dogs could have cared less about him. Well, some were interested in sniffing him.. but not eating him! Thankfully, this is not a cartoon. Anyways, there were other cats there too. There were also a few guinea pigs and two parakeets. Someone told me that there was a pony there last year. During the hymn part of the service, a few of the dogs started howling and joining in with song. It was pretty funny.
All of the other pet owners were really nice and friendly. Everyone loves talking about their pets, which I think is sweet. I really enjoyed myself. They were also very interested in Baxter because he was probably the youngest animal there. Also, at one point, I had him on a leash. This little boy ran up to me and said, "I have never seen anyone walk a cat before!" I said, it's more like he walks me, I just have the leash on there so he can't run away. The kid said, "You know, even though I have never seen it before, I think it is a good idea and that it makes sense." I thought he was funny- and good for him for being open-minded!
Like I said, Baxter was well behaved. I hope he liked it. He does like to be outside and there were definitely a lot of things to keep his attention, so in the end, I think it was good. It definitely wore him out though because he slept at home pretty much the rest of the evening. My mom said that maybe he settled down because the blessing worked the hyper crazy demons out of him. (I hope so). Anyways, I was glad that he did so well with the other dogs because in the future, he may have a canine brother or sister.
The National Cathedral was really beautiful. I did not get to see the inside, but my grandma says that there is a moon rock inside of one of the windows.. That is kind of weird, so I may have to check it out...
He tolerated everything really well. He even tolerated the fact that there were at least 100 dogs there! He really was not scared at all, and the dogs could have cared less about him. Well, some were interested in sniffing him.. but not eating him! Thankfully, this is not a cartoon. Anyways, there were other cats there too. There were also a few guinea pigs and two parakeets. Someone told me that there was a pony there last year. During the hymn part of the service, a few of the dogs started howling and joining in with song. It was pretty funny.
All of the other pet owners were really nice and friendly. Everyone loves talking about their pets, which I think is sweet. I really enjoyed myself. They were also very interested in Baxter because he was probably the youngest animal there. Also, at one point, I had him on a leash. This little boy ran up to me and said, "I have never seen anyone walk a cat before!" I said, it's more like he walks me, I just have the leash on there so he can't run away. The kid said, "You know, even though I have never seen it before, I think it is a good idea and that it makes sense." I thought he was funny- and good for him for being open-minded!
Like I said, Baxter was well behaved. I hope he liked it. He does like to be outside and there were definitely a lot of things to keep his attention, so in the end, I think it was good. It definitely wore him out though because he slept at home pretty much the rest of the evening. My mom said that maybe he settled down because the blessing worked the hyper crazy demons out of him. (I hope so). Anyways, I was glad that he did so well with the other dogs because in the future, he may have a canine brother or sister.
The National Cathedral was really beautiful. I did not get to see the inside, but my grandma says that there is a moon rock inside of one of the windows.. That is kind of weird, so I may have to check it out...
The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
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