PET SERVICES
Every year we have a service in each of our churches where pet owners bring their pets, of all types and sizes, to ask for God's blessing on them.
It is a fairly short service and one that is particularly suited for families and young children but no one is excluded.
The Pet Services are really good fun and most of the congregation are secretly hoping that either one of the pets or their owners will bite Rob.
People quite often say to me (the last time was only on Saturday 7th June 2008) " I know they have Pet Services on The Vicar of Dibley but I didn't think they had them in real life."
The Vicar of Dibley started in 1994 (incidentally I'm a great fan and I get all my best sermon ideas from the programme) and the first Pet Service I experienced was in Brecon Cathedral in 1992 and there was a cow, several horses, many dogs and cats and hordes of small pets attending for a blessing. I was only assisting at that service but it was outside, which was fortunate because the cow left quite a spectacular cow pat!
Normally we have two pet services in July and two in September and a one in October. This year (2008) we're going to have them all in September and October because it's good to have these services in our Harvest Season and the last couple of years some of the July ones have been in very hot weather which is not recommended where dogs are concerned.
What is a Pet Service like?
Normally there is a welcome, a hymn and a prayer, then a short address and then the blessing of the animals. The owners bring them up one at a time (most important) and then take them back via a different route-so hopefully none of the pets meet face to face. When Rob blesses them he normally holds them (although he's never had a spider yet) says a prayer and gives them a treat. Then there is some more short prayers, another hymn and a blessing for everyone. Then refreshments.
Inside or outside?
If the weather's fine have it outside but most of ours have been inside. As long as you have some water for the animals and water and other implements to clear up any accidents.
Things to avoid-letting dogs meet dogs face to face, letting dogs meet anything else face to face, having a dog team photograph. Keep all dogs on a lead, all other animals in a basket or cage.
Animals we've had over the years Cow, horses (several), dogs, cats, sheep, lambs, rabbits, ferrets (yes, one bit Rob), various budgies, parrots, bumblebees, mice, guinea pigs, sea monkeys (brine shrimp), tortoises, goldfish etc etc. Last year in South Lopham we had a Tawny Owl but it didn't have an owner!
Do you need a service sheet, no, not really just a hymn book normally.
It's good to bring various titbits for the pets chicken for dogs & cats, green things for most other pets.
The service shouldn't last for longer than 40 minutes.
Safety is paramount especially with young children and dogs.
