Blessed are the Animals

COEUR d’ALENE — Drive-through restaurants, banks and coffee shops are common enough, but what about a drive-through pet blessing?

That’s what Katherine von Hagen found when she drove into the parking lot at the Kootenai Humane Society Thrift Store on Saturday with Nemo, the poodle, bouncing along in the back seat of her car.

As von Hagen looked on, Nemo stretched her fluffy head out the window. Father Pat Bell, of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, patted the dog gently and read a few words.

Blessing complete, von Hagen hopped back into the car and drove away happily.

“I enjoy it,” Bell said. “I like coming down and supporting the Humane Society; it’s a great group.”

Every autumn, right around the beginning of October, the society hosts a Blessing of the Animals. Pet owners from Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Hayden bring their critters to the thrift store for a brief ceremony.

Saturday’s blessing was the 12th annual, but this year’s event was especially meaningful for the Humane Society staff, explained Rondi Renaldo, executive director.

“This year is a very special year, because Judy Crow, one of our founding individuals, passed away (in September),” Renaldo said.

Most of the pet blessings were performed in front of a small memorial dedicated to Crow.

“Its always non-denominational,” Renaldo said of the event, “so anyone can bring their animals down.”

The Humane Society expected 50 to 100 animals on Saturday, she added.

Chris Roush and Kim Clark brought Timber and Cedar, two big St. Bernard-boxer mixes. Stout, good-looking dogs, the pair sat politely as Father Francisco Paco, from St. Pius Catholic Church, gave his blessing.

“It’s the first time we’ve had Cedar and Timber blessed,” Clark said. “And I just love that the Humane Society puts this on, and I just wanted to get out, and have our dogs blessed, and support the community.”

Coeur d’Alene is a welcoming place for pet owners, Clark added.

“It is a very pet-friendly community,” she said. “We’ve been able to get these puppies to quite a few events.”

Bell said he’s been to quite a few blessings over the years, and seen everything from snakes to llamas.

“It’s always a surprise how many people take advantage of it,” he said.

The most exotic animal he’d ever blessed, Bell said, was a bearded dragon — a beady-eyed, prehistoric-looking lizard.

Joyce Lovey of Coeur d’Alene doesn’t have a bearded dragon, but she did bring Patti, a little black and white Boston terrier.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Lovey said. “Father Pat is my priest, so he blessed another dog for me years ago. (Patti) needs to be blessed.”

The event also featured a bake sale, raffle and treats for the visitors. The thrift store remained open as well.

But the dogs and cats were the real focus Saturday.

“It’s so unique,” Renaldo said. “We all go to church and everything, but how often do the animals get to go?”