Dogs, caged birds, goldfish and even stuffed toys made it pets' day at Hastings' St Matthew's Anglican Church yesterday.
The dogs joined in the hymn singing with tuneful howling and barking and two of them didn't like the tone of vicar Graeme Pilgrim's joke and growled over the punchline.
Jackie Baird, of Havelock North, brought her corgi Lucy to be blessed to mark world animal and the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. There will be another chance for pooches to fill the pews and the congregation to raise their voices above the baaing, barking and braying of animals.
All creatures large and small are invited to St John's Cathedral on Sunday at 5pm to celebrate St Francis.
The service will acknowledge and mark both St Francis' love and care for animals, and his joy in singing. All animals in attendance will be offered a blessing.
The Cathedral's choristers will lead the singing, including a new piece written by Hawke's Bay hymn writer the Rev Bill Bennett.
Marineland education officer Bridey White will be the guest speaker.
Pets prove lively on church's day with animals
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