Each year, churches across Tarrant County host pet blessing ceremonies near Saint Francis of Assisi Feast Day on Oct. 4. Anyone, Christian or otherwise, can have their companions blessed with a prayer or a sprinkle of holy water.<\/p>\n
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Attendees of First Christian Church\u2019s pet blessing gather for prayer on Sept. 26, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
This weekend, each attendee and their pet received a blessing from Smith through a prayer, a certificate and a goodie bag filled with treats.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Michael Raines came to the event wearing a shirt covered with Snoopy graphics. At his side was Molly, his 6-year-old Siberian husky.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Michael Raines kneels next to Molly, his Siberian husky, during First Christian Church\u2019s pet blessing on Sept. 26, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Molly was rescued off the streets of east Dallas and has lived with Raines since before the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. A homebody by nature, Molly prefers to stay by Raines\u2019 side instead of bolting out the door when given the chance. She exudes a more feline personality, he said, such as preferring crisp water \u2014 and wanting Raines to hold it for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Raines has participated in blessings for pets he\u2019s had in the past. Aside from the annual ceremony, he considered times at the dog park as a form of fellowship for the pair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSince these animals are pretty much a part of our daily lives, it\u2019s a great way to integrate that aspect into our worship and our faith walk,\u201d Raines said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Aaron Smelley brought his two dachshunds, Festus, left, and Tex, to First Christian Church\u2019s pet blessing on Sept. 26, 2026. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
The inaugural ceremony is part of the congregation\u2019s journey to become more visible in the community, Smith said. That means trying new things like pet blessings, which were offered to both members of the church and the general public.\u00a0<\/p>\n
First Christian Church is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ tradition, which doesn\u2019t have saints, Smith said. However, the denomination does recognize the importance and value of all of God\u2019s creations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re gathering in the memory and honor of Saint Francis in that spirit to offer a blessing to all animals and to their people,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWe just want to affirm all of those relationships and all of creation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sitting on the church steps was Rockelle McClendon, 13, along with her 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Coco. A First Christian Church member since she was young, McClendon had a good time seeing everyone getting together to have their dogs blessed.<\/p>\n
After receiving a blessing, she said she hopes Coco is \u201cvery happy and he enjoys his life because I love him so much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Marissa Greene is the faith and fellowships editor at the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n