Prayers for the animals

THE day of thanks, gratitude, appreciation, toasts and seconds of dry turkey to remote relatives rarely heard from unless they need money — is over.

Time now to bless those we adore, who are always there for us, who seeing us might meow or wag their tails, or who don’t do bad things — except for the Yorkie I have who just christened my new rug, a habit that, actually, takes after our family’s old uncle.

A pet prolongs life. With our world’s ongoing miseries, research says we mostly need something to love — and to love us.

So: This Sunday, Dec. 3 — Christ Church, 60th & Park, 2 p.m. sharp — 700 animals with their parents jam the church — so come early.

It’s my ninth annual Blessing of the Animals. Open seating. No reservations. No RSVPs. First come, first served. Every pet owner welcome. Bring your dogs, cats, birds, turtles, gerbils, fishes in bowls, rabbits — everything with fur, fins, feathers and fluff.

Please, no animal without its owner, no owner without an animal. Also, before escorting Fido or Fluffy to a pew, walk it, swim it or . . . whatever it.

This is an hourlong service. An homily about creatures like in Noah’s Ark, carols from Roosevelt High School choir, police horses outside to be blessed. Then: police dogs with handlers down the aisle, procession of farm animals such as alpaca, pig, llama, chicken, goat. They’re followed by rescues to the altar. Next, our own pets. The ministry will bless each for the new year.

Sponsors include the Baker Institute, Cornell University, The NY Post, the Kalikow family, the

Catsimatidis family, the Wilpon family, the Humane Society, Ollie pet food. Sunday. Dec. 3. 2 p.m. sharp. Christ Church, 60th & Park. Blessing of the Animals.