Thank God for Dogs is a special event for dog owners and dog lovers to celebrate canines and their companionship.
Dogs and their humans are invited to arrive at Saint Augustine’s Church lounge in Waimate at 3pm on October 9 for a drink and biscuit, before the 30-minute service at 3.30pm.
The service will acknowledge the special role dogs play, and there will be an opportunity for each person to bring their dogs forward for a prayer acknowledging the blessing their pets are in their lives.
Vicar Rev Indrea Alexander said the church’s eighth dog service was intended to be a sociable and enjoyable time acknowledging the special place dogs held in many people’s lives.
“Dogs are often part of our work, our sport and our home.”
There will also be a remembrance table where people can place photos of dogs from their past.
The service also marks the October celebration date for Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), a saint best remembered as a lover of animals and nature.
All dogs are to be on a lead, and people are asked to pre-exercise and toilet their dogs, but Rev Alexander said “little accidents’’ would be forgiven.
‘‘The church is in the forgiveness business.”
