Animals a blessing during bear market

BRUNSWICK - People could benefit by emulating their four-legged friends, the pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church said Sunday at her fifth annual Blessing of the Animals.

While the moods of their owners go into tailspins over conditions on Wall Street, animals "greet every morning with joy," Pastor Andrea Ernest said.

Sadie, one of 12 dogs at the 2 p.m. blessing, let out a howl right then.

Ernest welcomed the chorus.

"Sing out when you want to sing out," she responded. "We are an animal-loving congregation."

During these worrisome financial times, people would be wise to follow their animals' lead, Ernest said.

"Animals don't care how the stock market closed today," she said. "Or which presidential candidate said what about the other one.

"Thank God for their place in our lives, which would be poor indeed without them."

After leading the group of pet owners in a litany of praise and reciting of scripture, Ernest went one by one around the circle of canines and offered a prayer as she held each head in her hands.

She called every dog by name and recited: "May you be blessed in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May you and your family enjoy life together and find joy with the God who created you. Amen."

In addition to Sadie, a beagle-dachshund mix, there was Major, a mini pinscher; Chloe, a poodle; Ping, a bichon-shih tzu mix; Toby, a shih tzu; Chloe and Crunch, a pair of Westies; Clifford, a golden retriever-St. Bernard; Sophie, a golden retriever-border collie; Maggie May, a mini dachshund; Judah, a greyhound-boxer; and Danny Boy, a golden retriever.

All animals were invited, but this year only dogs showed up. Ernest did bless photographs of a swarm of honey bees and Lunch the cat.

Their owners chose not to bring them to the ceremony.

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