Feeling blessed!

Last Sunday was an annual pilgrimage for many pet owners to have their animals blessed in celebration of the feast day of St Anthony – called Sant Antoni here, the patron saint of animals.

The day actually falls on January 17, but as it was midweek, many services tend to take place on the nearest Sunday to that date with those attending holding the belief that it will provide health and wellbeing to the animal as well as their owners.

Every year I go to the pretty Ermita chapel, located behind the El Cisne rastro in Benidorm and for the first time I decided to take my own lovable cuddy chow chow named London.

I gave her a quick brush before harnessing her up and a little helping hand to jump up into the car – 30kg worth of dog so no mean feat! She has a pink harness and lead yet it does make me chuckle when people ask if it’s a girl or boy… obviously can’t take anything for granted in these politically correct days.

From taking her on walks along the Albir and Altea proms, I already knew the reaction she receives when children catch a glimpse of her. They shriek in excitement shouting and pointing at either the ‘león’ or ‘osito’ – a lion or teddy bear and often literally launch themselves onto her in a full-on embrace.

She is really patience and thankfully very relaxed but I always keep her on a very short leash, especially around children as you never know with dogs and am often shocked that parents do not check first whether its ok for them to stroke her.

There are many tragic cases reported on a family pet turning, albeit normally a rottweiler or pit bull type but I would never take that chance. However, it is often the small yappy yorkies or chihuahua that are aggressive and nip though.

First, there was a mass, which was actually conducted in a marque beside the actual church.

The reasons I think are twofold: It is very small and would you really want many animals in your church if you were the priest and suffer any possible accidents?

It always reminds me of the comedy sketch from The Vicar of Dibley and the animal church service, which was an idea, bought up by Geraldine – Dawn French’s character. She wanted to conduct a special sermon-thanking god for all living creatures although the idea did not go down well with The Bishop.

As it turned out the church was full to bursting and they all behaved impeccably… as they did on Sunday.

Considering how many dogs there were, it is always surprising that there aren’t any scuffles. One brave lady even bought her cat – not within the safety of a carrier or basket, but carrying it close to her chest! She was obviously confident that it wouldn’t get spooked or scared and try to run away!

One little boy carried a small cage with some kind of rodent animal, perhaps a hamster, but as I am absolutely terrified of mice I really didn’t plan on getting too close to check it out.

My London is not very accustomed to large crowds or lots of other dogs so was a little unsure.

Following the mass, the priest headed outside to a specially erected stage, ccompanied by the fiesta queens, Benidorm Mayor – after all, it is election year and organisers.

The main queen was on the stage with priest and mayor and all her ladies in waiting, of which there were many, lined up just beside the stage, where everyone would pass and having a sprinkling of holy water and be handed a bread roll – blessed I assume.

I had to cajole mine along then as soon as all the fiesta queens saw her they squealed and wanted to stroke her. I do wonder if she ever gets fed up with all the attention? Once all the pets had been done, horses from the local stables came by – it’s so lovely to watch. I’ll no doubt go again next year but maybe one blessing will be enough for London.