HOLY HELP FOR ANIMALS
Annual Blessing of the Pets delights Midtown’s humans
One of Hell’s Kitchen’s most heavenly traditions, the annual Blessing of the Pets, delivered benedictions and excited barks from a couple dozen very good boys and girls on Sunday.
“This is a miracle!” a woman exclaimed, as residents brought their beloved pets to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on 46th St. for the yearly ceremony.
“We give thanks for the gift of animals, these wonderful members of our community who enrich our lives,” said Pastor Arden Strasser, before leading the crowd in singing “All Things Bright and Beautiful” at the outdoor ceremony.
The service and blessing fell on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and World Animal Day, which began in 1925 as a day of action for animal welfare and rights.
Debbie Heard, 60, brought Max, her 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier, and Georgie, 5, her friend’s terrier mix, to the ceremony. And Heard, who lives in the neighborhood, encouraged other dog owners from the park at Pier 84 to come along with their pets.
“I’ve been coming for the last couple of years now,” said the retired respiratory therapist. “There was one time they had the blessing inside the church.”
Gesturing toward Max with affection, she said, “That one barked through the whole service. It was awesome.”
Kathy Rossetter, an actress and acting teacher, held Squirt, her chihuahua and rat terrier mix, who wore a tiny red sweater.
“Lord, please take care of Squirt,” said the pastor. “Keep Squirt healthy as long as possible, bring joy to the home.”
Found in California, the pup seems to have already
been blessed. He was adopted about two years ago by Rossetter, who estimated his age as 6.
“He was in foster care there for three months, then he came here for three months. The poor thing had been shipped around and then I got him,” said Rossetter, 69. “He’s a very good boy.”
Tassie, a Bichon and Minia
ture Schnauzer mix, was next. She reached her paws out to Strasser.
“Lord I’m praying for Tassie today, another one of your creations,” he prayed as Tassie’s human, musician Nissa Kahle, 33, beamed.
“Please bring the spirit of obedience and listening, so she doesn’t cause trouble, and may she always bring love to the owner.”
About two dozen animals were blessed, mostly dogs, but some cats. Even pixelated pets received Strasser’s benedictions.
Scooter, a 16-year-old cat, was blessed in absentia as the pastor gazed upon a photo of the silver tabby on a phone.
“Lord, this is Scooter, who we prayed for last year. Keep Scooter healthy as long as possible. Cats are not obedient, but maybe Scooter can give joy to the family Scooter lives with.”
Strasberg’s own pooch, a 9year-old Miniature Pomeranian named Jackson, also received his owner’s grace.
The pastor explained that his father had a farm, and that he hadn’t related to the animals in the same way when he was growing up.
“When I got a dog as an adult, I began to realize the gift of a pet,” said the pastor. “It was from my pet that I learned unconditional love.”