Bless you

Rain and autumnal gloom couldn’t dampen the spirits of the canines (great and small) who brought their owners to the Priory for the Annual Pets’ Blessing service.

Tails wagged and voices lifted enthusiastically to join in the prayers, songs and hymns. ‘Don’t worry if you need to take a walk during our service; it’s very informal’ reassured Marje, who was jointly leading the service with Alison. But most of the dogs chose to curl up under the seats, or on their owners’ feet.

After a short reflection, owners were invited to place their hands on their pet’s head for the blessing.
’Bless O Lord, these creatures and all who are involved in their care and protection’
A final hymn - would the service have been complete without ‘All things bright and beautiful’? - a prayer and a final blessing and the service was over. Bright-eyed, the canine congregation excitedly introduced themselves to each other, as owners chatted, too.

Dogs and their well-behaved owners are welcome both to visit and come to services at the Priory … and all animals are very welcome at the Pets’ Blessing…purrhaps the cats had decided that curled up in the warmth of home was preferable to braving the Malvern rain this year?!