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All God's creatures Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming The Rev. Anne Bartlett (right) blesses Maryl Barker�s dog, Gracie, Sunday during a blessing of the animals at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ashland. Barker, of Eugene, was visiting family members in the Rogue Valley. By Bill Kettler ASHLAND � When the two-legged creatures sang a hymn, their four-legged friends howled along. Canines added their voices to the strains of "All Things Bright and Beautiful" Sunday when Trinity Episcopal Church held a blessing of the animals. More than 100 people brought at least 40 dogs � and a few anxious cats � to a vacant lot beside the church to sing and pray and visit. Golden retrievers wagged their tails and sought out friendly faces, Jack Russell terriers fidgeted beside their owners, and a Saint Bernard stood patiently in a world of her own. "O, God, you made everything there is," said the Rev. Anne Bartlett in an opening prayer. "Help us to love and care for all your creatures as you love and care for us." Episcopal churches have long honored Francis of Assisi, the thirteenth-century Roman Catholic saint who lived a life of poverty and took joy in all of God�s creatures. Many Episcopal churches organize a blessing of the animals sometime in early October to honor Francis near his feast day, Oct. 4. Bartlett, who came to Ashland last summer to lead the congregation, revived the tradition this year at Trinity Episcopal. She noted that many Christian denominations have a special affinity for the Catholic saint, who gave away his possessions and preached to the animals. "Francis represents for us not only simplicity ... but an utter joy in creation," she said. "When we bless the animals we give thanks to the holy one for the animals in our life that make us better humans than we would probably be." Bartlett led a brief ceremony giving thanks for the whole animal creation, then walked through the crowd, blessing the dogs and cats as well as two cockatiels, a guinea pig and an iguana. Church members mingled with other community members who had heard about the event and brought their pets. Karen Rogers of Talent brought Sam, the family�s rambunctious young "shelter mutt," and her son, Andrew, and daughter, Claire, who served as an acolyte during the service. "Andrew was hoping if Sam got religion he would become a more obedient dog," Rogers said as Andrew tried to rein in Sam. "He wants to play with all the other dogs, and he�s not old enough to be mellow." Don and Tori Freis of Medford brought two dogs, their four children and two of the kids� playmates to their church for the ceremony. "The dogs are so important in our lives," she said. "It�s nice to say this is a special day for them." Roberta Kent of Ashland brought Kila, a shepherd/retriever cross who had been abandoned with six newborn puppies. "She�s had an extraordinarily hard life," said Kent, noting the four-year-old dog already has lost several teeth. "If any animal needed a blessing, she does." Kent praised Bartlett�s energy and efforts to welcome non-members into the church community. "She�s done a lot of things to revitalize this church," said Kent. "She�s working toward making the church much more accessible to people." Among the non-church members at the blessing was Ashley Henry, of Lincoln, who brought her blue heeler, Dinga. "She has retinal atrophy," Henry said. "She�s losing her vision. The doctor expects her to be blind within six months. She needs a special blessing." Henry has attended services at Trinity several times. "Reverend Anne is a most welcoming person," she said. "I feel like we�re becoming friends." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.