Pets blessed at IHM for Feast of Francis of Assisi

Barks and whimpers echoed in the courtyard of the Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Anderson as owners presented their pets to be blessed by the attending priest.

Around 50 people gathered to have their four-legged friends blessed by Rev. Tom Keidler on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, Sunday afternoon.

"It's been a tradition of the church to bless the animals and all of God's creatures," Keidler said. "It's always a great gathering of people who love their pets."

Keidler has blessed several dozen pets in his 38 years as a reverend, "from hermit crabs to horses," he said. But on Sunday the crowd was full of dogs, and one cage of gerbils.

The service began with Keidler reading a passage from Genesis as dogs sniffed, drooled, and barked, waiting not so patiently to receive their blessings.

BJ, a black labrador who was recently diagnosed with cancer, lounged on a pet bed that was being pulled on a wagon and quietly listened to the Keidler's words.

Her owner, Steve Overbeck, is a lifelong Catholic who brings her to be blessed every year. He has cared for her for 13 years and struggled with the news that she has less than six months to live.

"I think coming here has given me some closure," Overbeck said. "This is the best I can do for her."

Kristen Hamilton brought her golden retriever, Maycee, to be blessed because "Well, she is Catholic," she said.

"Now she will stay healthy and happy," Hamilton said.

Many owners were convinced their dogs understood the sanctity of the holy water splashed on them by Keidler.

"They are usually calm and subdued afterward," said Susan Sharkey, who brought her dachshund Holly Belle to be blessed. "They know it's happening."

Three years ago Shirley Suter brought a pregnant foster dog to be blessed by the reverend. She said the dog gave birth to six healthy puppies the next week.

"The community gathering in the spirit of St. Francis is a neat and different way to pray together," Suter said. "I can only think that the blessing only helped."