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All creatures great and small at special St Anne's Cathedral service for pets

Animals were welcomed to St Anne's Cathedral for a special 'service of thanksgiving and blessing for our pets'. Picture by Ann McManus
Animals were welcomed to St Anne's Cathedral for a special 'service of thanksgiving and blessing for our pets'. Picture by Ann McManus Animals were welcomed to St Anne's Cathedral for a special 'service of thanksgiving and blessing for our pets'. Picture by Ann McManus

THERE was plenty of participation from the pews at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast yesterday as 'all creatures great and small' were welcomed through its doors.

With barks almost in unison to the music, the organ at the city centre church thundered out the iconic hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful to mark the start of its first service specially for pets.

Animals of all sizes, accompanied by hundreds of pet owners, were welcomed with open arms by clergy to the 'service of thanksgiving and blessing for our pets', which aimed to celebrate the "important place animals play in our lives".

And while dogs made up the majority of the pets, several birds and even a hamster could also be spotted on the ornate pews.

Some animals even appeared to take their attendance at church quite seriously by donning their own fashion accessories, including one dog, named Shelley, who arrived in her own choir robe.

Lifting his voice over the barking, Canon Mark Niblock from St Anne's Cathedral welcomed the animal congregation - and their owners - to the service.

"This is really awesome," he said.

"There have been a few times in the past week that we have thought this is a bad idea, but then when we remember our special pets, it is an occasion for enjoyment and fun."

He added: "We need to embrace the happiness that our pets bring to our lives."

The short service featured music on the organ and from the Cathedral Girls’ Choir, including the hymn All Creatures of our God and King.

There were also bible readings, prayers and a collection taken for local animal welfare charities.

Each pet received an individual blessing from clergy.

Among those in the packed animal congregation were West Highland Terrier cousins Daisy (8) and Meggie (11), who were brought by their owners Ivy Long and Margaret Campbell, both from Lisburn.

Ms Long said she thought it would be a treat for her dog, whom she described as a "wonderful companion".

"I lost my last dog when she was 16 and I was heartbroken," she said.

"So I got Daisy, who is now eight, and I would be lost without her. We thought it was lovely to bring the dogs along and see what it was all about."

Sitting just a few rows from the altar was Norman the cockatoo, who was brought along by owner Sara Kitchen from Belfast.

"This is so unusual for something like this to take place," she said.

"When we read about it in the newspaper, we knew we had to come.

"It's absolutely brilliant this has been organised, it's such a great idea."

Patience Bradley from Holywood carried her little pooch - a smooth haired Chihuahua named 'Mary My Lovely' - in her handbag.

"It's just wonderful to be here," she said.

"I was the first person to do fashion shows for dogs here so I believe that dogs do deserve something different and this here today is one of those things."

Guide dog Ushi, meanwhile, sat obediently beside owner Torie Tennant from Ballymena and her friend Lisa McLaughlin from Holywood throughout the service.

"We thought it was a great idea," said Torie.

"We have been to similar events with the Guide Dog Association, but it's the first time we have been to something like this in a church and it's wonderful."