Commentary: Pets are a blessing, so come get them blessed
When it comes to family time and home life, pets are so much of who we are. Of course, not everyone is a pet person, but those who are, are!
In fact, many of us take it a step further and join in the fun-loving rivalry by categorizing ourselves as either “dog people” or “cat people,” both types equally adamant about having the best pet ever.
At Fairview Community Church we recognize that our animals are more than just “pets” — they are family.
That’s why every year we hold a service to invite those family members that don’t always make it out of the house, or beyond the park, to share in a special service that is all about them.
Our “Blessing of the Animals” service both blesses the animals, and additionally recognizes the blessings that our animals are for us.
I know how much animals are a part of their family’s lives, because my beagle, Maggie, is so much a part of mine. Long before I had a husband and a baby to come home to, I had a dog. She has always greeted me with an unconditional love that reflects God’s love. It seems she knows the moment I need her most, and she is right there to offer comfort and cuddles. She is such a blessing in my life.
My experience is not unique. Pet people know that their animals are there for them, often in ways other human beings just can’t be. In them, we see and experience a bit of the divine in love, loyalty and comfort during challenging times.
I think this is why their deaths can have such a profound impact upon us. And yet, as a society that struggles with grieving on the whole, we who don’t deal well with human death fail to recognize the grief that comes from the death of our pets. Yet we suffer when our animals die. We grieve. Their deaths impact our lives because their lives were and are intertwined with ours.
So, this Sunday, at our 10 a.m. service, at Fairview Community Church we will be blessing the animals and memorializing those who have died. We will have intentional time to grieve, eulogize and celebrate the lives of pets who have been a part of our families.
Join us for this fun and reflective service on our church patio and bring your best friends — furry, feathery, scaly or slimy.
The Rev. Dr. SARAH HALVERSON-CANO is a pastor at Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa.