Old Town San Diego celebrates the Blessing of the Animals

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Pets and their owners descend on San Diego's Old Town State Historic Park for the annual Blessing of the Animals. The day included blessings by Msgr. Mark Campbell, a pet psychic, and a pet costume contest. San Diego, USA. 16/01/2011.

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in Our World, on the 16th of January 2011

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Pets and their owners descended on San Diego's Old Town State Historic Park for the annual Blessing of the Animals. The day included blessings by Msgr. Mark Campbell, a pet psychic, and a pet costume contest. San Diego, USA. 16/01/2011.

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On Sunday, January 16, San Diego's Old Town State Historic Park went to the dogs, and the cats, and reptiles, and birds with the annual Blessing of the Animals. The event commemorates the feast of St. Anthony of Abad on January 17, who is considered the patron saint of the animal kingdom. The tradition goes back several hundred years, and includes the Benediction of the Beasts near Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. This local celebration included blessings by Msgr. Mark Campbell, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, as well as demonstrations by local pet psychic Sindi Somers, a pet costume contest, and an appearance by Chopper the Biker Dog.

A number of animal welfare and rescue groups set up tables to share information on their activities. Among these were Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego, Friends of Cats, Inc., and Sky Hunters Raptor Education and Rehabilitation Center. Also on hand were representatives from the Chula Vista Nature Center with information about the center and its work with native animals.

One of the highlights of the day was the pet costume contest featuring several creatively dressed dogs. Awards went to a pug dressed as a pig, a Yorkshire terrier in an angel costume, and what appeared to be a Labrador retriever dressed as a hippie.