It was a paw-some day!

The annual Blessing of the Animals service, held at the Washington National Cathedral, celebrated the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. This year's event, attended by hundreds of animals and their caregivers, included a diverse array of creatures from dogs and cats to turtles and birds. The service, led by Dean Randy Hollerith, emphasized the importance of blessing all of God's creations and fostering a sense of community and friendship with animals. Representatives from two key partner organizations, City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue and Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue, were present to support the event. Miri’s Haven, a volunteer-based rescue, focuses on senior dogs in the DC Metro region, many of whom have faced neglect, abuse, or medical hardship. City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue, another non-profit organization, works to rescue cats and dogs from overcrowded shelters. The service concluded with a call to continue the tradition of blessing animals and fostering a spirit of love and care for all creatures, as Dean Hollerith expressed his hope to see everyone again next October.