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A Prayer For Pets

LOIS KINDLE/Tampa Tribune photo

Three-year-old Miriam Fuentes of Ruskin is more interested in this Havanese schnauzer mix than she is in the service going on behind her. The child was at the event with her father, Paul. For Lois Kindle story.

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2007

Updated: 10/11/2007 07:44 pm

Additional Photos

RUSKIN - Quoting Scripture and reading the Prayer of St. Francis, the Rev. John M. Bartha looked upon the assembly that included more than 50 members of his Sunday congregation. He smiled as a large spaniel ran past him and out across the open field.

'Oh, to have that much energy,' he said, drawing a laugh from the crowd.

That spaniel - and 21 other dogs - were part of a Blessing of Pets ceremony performed Oct. 6 at Ott's Off-Leash Dog Park in Ruskin.

The service was the first hosted by Ruskin United Methodist Church.

'We were very pleased with the turnout,' said Curtis Matson, who organized the event with his wife, Tracy. 'We're already planning next year's service and plan to have it annually.'

Enthusiasm from the assembly ran high.

'It was very nice. If they have it next year, I'll be back,' said Janet Plantamura of Riverview, who sat on a picnic table holding her 1-year-old schnauzer-Havanese mix, Tasha. 'I enjoyed the way everyone, including the dogs, sat and listened to the service.'

Everyone, that is, except the spaniel.

'I thought it was a great idea,' added Jackie Elliott of Ruskin, who brought Bailey, her 8-year-old Maltese. Having been to the groomer that day, the dog wore a bib shirt and tuxedo tie for the occasion.

'My dog really needed to be blessed,' Elliott laughed. 'He had a great time, and I plan to attend next year.'

The idea sprang up casually, Matson said.

'In various Sunday services, Pastor Johnny had mentioned how important animals are in our lives,' he said. 'Then one day after church, I talked with him about putting together an outdoor service to bless our animals, and he suggested Oct. 6.'

Bartha said there was also personal significance in having the event.

Last November, he and his family lost a beloved pet to cancer. The 110-pound German shepherd was 'the smartest one in the house,' the pastor said. 'God gave us animals to help us work on our humanity.'

Pet blessing ceremonies take place across the country around Oct. 4, which marks the feast of St. Francis, the patron of animals. Traditionally a Catholic ceremony, it has spread through the years to other religions honoring the bond between people and pets. During the ceremony, the religious leader generally talks and prays about the interconnectedness of living things.

This year's Ruskin service included a responsive reading, which blessed animals, large and small. There was also a reading by Matson called 'Side by Side,' a moving tribute to Major Haley, his brother's bird dog that died in 2003.

Bartha gave individual blessings to the 22 dogs, whose owners will be mailed a signed certificate and a photo of the pastor with their pets.

Bartha offered a prayer for people, as well.

Each owner received a goody bag at registration that included treats from Give A Dog A Bone. The Apollo Beach business, DKL Carpet Cleaning, Colleen Orlando's Pet Grooming and Paula's Pampered Pets provided funds for a cookout after the service. Veterinarian Hal Ott of the Ruskin Animal Hospital provided use of the facilities.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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