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Sat., Sept. 29, 2007, at Noon. Heartwell Park, Long Beach | MAP

LONG BEACH | SIXTH ANNUAL
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2007 Interfaith Blessing of the Animals
< More than 300 animals to be blessed

BRING YOUR PETS
WE WILL BLESS THE PETS on Sat., Sept. 29, 2007 at noon in Long Beach, at Heartwell Park (Carson @ Clark). The Interfaith Blessing of the Animals presented by Haute Dogs is free to the public and their pets. Seniors, families, singles, and children, are encouraged to bring their dogs, cats, birds, lizards, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, fish, tortoises and turtles and other well-behaved pets.

We will also have a moment of blessing, silence and vigil at the beginning of the service for pets who are unfortunately involved with sport dog fighting and other inhumane, unethical treatment.

After brief words from each of the faith leaders (listed below), the menagerie of participants will have the opportunity to line up single-file to be blessed by the faith leaders who will be dressed in traditional garb. Olive branches and holy water will be available. Choose one, or get blessed by all of the clergy (listed below).

THE EVENT will last approx. 45 minutes. It's important to recognize and honor the great bond and relationship between pets and their people. The religious leaders will talk or pray briefly on the interconnections among all living beings. This Blessing is presented by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (C.A.T.).


THIS IS THE SECOND LARGEST PET BLESSING IN THE U.S. HELD IN CONJUCTION WITH ST. FRANCIS DAY.

"Bless the Pets" event T-shirts will be available for $10.

2007 FAITH LEADERS (so far) Bishop Brian Delvaux American Catholic Church; Good Shepherd Church, Lakewood Dcn. Don Gath St. Joseph Catholic Church, Long Beach Rev. Suzanne Shipp Ordained with the Universal Life Church, Long Beach Rev. Ava Goddess Temple of Orange County Rev. Diane Hogan Ordained Religious Science minister with the Cypress Center for Creative Living Pastor Duane Moret Holy Spirit Fellowship, Long Beach Rev. Lee Carlile Grace United Methodist Church, Long Beach Rev. Dr. Jane Galloway United Church of Christ minister, from Immanuel - A Center for Conscious Living, Long Beach

DO ALL DOGS REALLY GO TO HEAVEN?
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Pets Partake in Innerfaith Prayer
< By David Rogers, Press-Telegram

It might have looked more like a regular religious service, were it not for all the animals waiting for a sprinkling of holy water at Heartwell Park.

But this was an interfaith "Blessing of the Animals," where about 300 pets and their people lined up Sunday afternoon for a blessing by eight clergy members, including Bishop Brian Delvaux of Good Shepherd Church in Lakewood.

"They are like members of your family," Delvaux explained, as he talked about Shadow, the 13-year-old Yorkshire terrier he adopted four years ago.

This was the fourth annual blessing organized by Justin Rudd and Haute Dogs, which produces other canine-related events like its annual "Howl'oween" and Easter parades. Most of the pets were dogs, but there were also a few cats, reptiles, and at least one pig and fish.

Laura Jones of Long Beach carried Beta, her blue 3-year-old fish, in a small fish tank to all of the clergy members. The fish has lived longer than expected, and "I figured I'd get him blessed while I could," she said.

The blessing was part of Animal Appreciation Day at the park, which also included a 2K and 5K walk that raised about $25,000 for Friends of Long Beach Animals, said Mary Carter, the group's treasurer. The money will be used for presentations at local schools, and for spaying and neutering pets, she said.

The blessing began with a vigil "to memorialize and honor pets" caught in Hurricane Katrina. One of the guests was Max, a 4-year-old Labrador retriever mix from St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana, who is being cared for by Aaron Reyes, director of operations for the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority in Downey. The agency also found temporary homes for five other pets, Reyes said.

The blessing was organized before the recent hurricanes, but Rudd said it was important to recognize what happened.

"It makes it even that much more important … to realize what we have with our pets, and realize the bonds that we have," he said.

dog photography by Justin Rudd! | DETAILS

LONG BEACH
500+ Costumed Dogs to Parade on Howl'oween (Sun., Oct. 28)
< Poodles, pugs and other pups to pound pavement in world's largest Halloween pet event.

500+ DOGS IN THEIR best Howl'oween outfits will return to Belmont Shore for the 7th annual Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, 2:30 p.m. More than 500 dogs in all shapes and sizes are expected this year to help raise funds for the 501c3 nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT) which benefits local youth, environmental, and animal welfare projects, including Haute Dogs and Operation Santa Paws. CLICK HERE to read more and see some great pics.

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