Fun in Fawnskin

I just wanted to leave you a quick note since I have a few responsibilities this weekend and have not had the time to post here. I was a judge at the 2007 Fawnskin Doo Dah Parade and am covering the Fawnskin Festival for the Fawnskin Flyer. You can see the pics and read my comments there--but I'll be back with more next week.

Il Palio 2007 & Blessing of the Horses

Photos: Il Palio 2007 Banner & Il Palio Horse Race

Twice a year Siena churches conduct a blessing of the horses in conjunction with Il Palio—a competitive horse race around Siena’s main square. This tradition of Il Palio and its equine blessings goes back to the 14th century.

Il Palio is a horse race that happens each July (Palio di Provenzano) and August (Palio dell' Assunta) in Siena, (Tuscany) Italy. There is an amazing amount of pageantry and revelry before this horse race--which lasts only a few minutes.

From Wikipedia:
The first race is held on July 2, which is both the Feast of the Visitation and the date of a local festival in honor of the Madonna of Provenzano (a painting once owned by the Sienese leader Provenzano Salvani, which was supposed to have miraculous curative power). The second race is held the day after the Feast of the Assumption, and is likewise dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

At one time the wild pursuit took place through the streets of the town, but today the event is held in the community’s main square, called the Piazza del Campo. Even though the location has changed—the chaos and fervor remains the same.

The race is a competition between neighborhoods, known as contrade, and each has its own horse and banner. Preceding the race, residents don the traditional dress and colors of their neighborhood. They march, wave flags, and party! In fact, the festivities begin days prior to the race.

Today’s seventeen contrade include: Aquila (Eagle), Bruco (Caterpillar), Chiocciola (Snail), Civetta (Owl), Drago (Dragon), Giraffa (Giraffe), Istrice (Porcupine), Leocorno (Unicorn), Lupa (She-Wolf), Nicchio (Shell), Oca (Goose), Onda (Wave), Pantera (Panther), Selva (Forest), Tartuca (Tortoise), Torre (Tower) and Valdimontone (Ram).

Each contrade races but not all can fit on the track at one time. Six trial races are run, the first on the evening of the horse selection and the last on the morning before Il Palio. The last trial run is followed by a church blessing of the horses…and if a horse defecates during the individual blessing, cheers erupt from the spectators, as it is considered good luck.

Because the race track is so small and short, a lottery is used to select who runs when. The tradition requires that the horses are ridden bareback, and although there are seventeen neighborhoods in Siena, there are only ten spots in each race because there is not enough room to have them all run each time.

So, the two races have only ten spots and there are seventeen districts competing. So, to solve the problem, the captains of the race decide which 3 neighborhoods will get to run in both races. The races are a source of pride and so this sparks even more competition between the neighborhoods. Bribes for the best starting position and strategies to thwart rivals are commonplace--and to say that the spectators are enthusiastic is an understatement. The piazza is packed and the crowd goes berserk when the race starts.

This horse race is only a few laps around the edge of the piazza and the rules are a bit unusual since a horse can win without a rider, as long as the contrade insignia remains in place as the equine crosses the finish line.

Il Palio ends when the cannons fire to signal 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The winning horse is escorted to the nearby church where its hooves are painted in gold and the winners get bragging rights—a coveted honor especially in the August race since the winners can revel in the glory until the following July.

In July 2007, the contrade Oca (goose) achieved victory–but we have yet to see who will win the race on August 16th. Here is the video of the 2007 Palio di Provenzano:

Links of Interest:

http://www.ilpalio.org/palioenglish.htm

http://www.ilpalio.siena.it/

http://www.premier.net/~Italy/palio.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_di_Siena

http://www.travelnotes.org/Travel/aug12.htm

http://www.comune.siena.it/contenuti/palio/inglese/index_ingl.htm

http://www.paliosiena.com/

http://www.ilpaliodisiena.com/indexpal.htm

http://www.ilpaliodisiena.com/foto/2007/luglio/cencio/cencioluglio2007.htm


http://lab.chass.utoronto.ca/italian/ingiroit/unita/unita/palio/palio.htm

http://www.travelistic.com/blog_post/show/486/The-Amazing-Horse-Race-(Part-1)

http://www.travelistic.com/blog_post/show/488/The-Amazing-Horse-Race-(Part-2)

http://palio.comune.siena.it/main.asp?id=0

Ten Tips on How to Give a Pet Mitzvah (Part Three)

Copyright 2007 by Diana L Guerrero. All rights reserved.

This is a three part article about how to celebrate a pet mitzvah—a trend that first began in the 1980s but didn’t hit popularity with mainstream society until about the mid-1990s. Bark mitzvahs are controversial in some circles but have been embraced as a way to celebrate the blessing of canine companions and to raise funds during Purim (a religious holiday in the Jewish tradition). Pop culture has adopted the trend—throwing not just bark mitzvahs but meow mitzvahs, equine mitzvahs, and other similar celebrations.

7. Food fun!
Serve snacks after the celebration and monitor animals when they snack to avoid squabbles. Many pet mitzvah party planners use decorative pet bowls to serve human snacks and often provide cakes and other items in the shape of fish or a dog bone—depending on the audience. Goodie bags are usually filled with special dog cookies, Star of David cookies, and similar fare.



Specialty bakeries also provide pet friendly foods for such occasions. It is best to use those specialty foods because many humans don’t know what foods can be toxic to animals but if you do the research, or get the right pet cookbook, you can make some fun items.

8. Pick music to soothe the pet mitzvah crowd.
The old saying, “music soothes the savage beast” is true. Pick some nice soothing tunes to go with the mood you want to create. People need to be able to talk so keep it more on the mellow side.

9. Party wear and amusement.
Be sure to specify if you have a theme guests should be alerted to. The pet mitzvah should be to celebrate the pet or his or her contribution to your life, so unless you are holding a big event, additional entertainment or amusement is not always necessary.

It is your choice as to whether or not to provide some entertainment but probably the most useful strategy is to make playtime for the pets, or other unique activities, to reduce the excess party animal energy.

In your planning be sure to schedule the pet gift opening away from the critter crowd (or have them under the control of their escorts during the activity) since you don’t want any squabbles. There are some specialty toys for pet mitzvahs and Hanukkah that might be perfect for the pet of honor!


If you are having a big event, consider hiring a pet photographer to document the affair and take snaps of all the guests as mementos. Other popular choices are caricature artists, or animal balloon artists, or maybe you want to have a trainer show everyone how to teach a new trick.

10. End pet mitzvahs on a good paw!
Pet mitzvahs should be fun but stick to your time schedule and watch that animals don’t get too tired and cranky. At one party, we had to take a nap break and take our planned excursion a little bit later in the day.

Parting comment? Be flexible and make sure your guests leave with that special memento to remember the special day.

Additional articles you might want to check out:
Admiral Boom & Mark Nadler with a great slide show

Kasha’s Bark Mitzvah

Rosebud’s Bark Mitzvah

Harper’s Bark Mitzvah

Bark Mitzvah Poem 2003

Rabbi responds to bark mitzvah ceremony report in January 5, 1997

Other blogs talking about Bark Mitzvahs
Dog Lady 2004

Bark Mitzvah Catechism

Books of interest:

Ten Tips on How to Give a Pet Mitzvah (Part Two)

Copyright 2007 by Diana L Guerrero. All rights reserved.

This is a three part article about how to celebrate a pet mitzvah—a trend that first began in the 1980s but didn’t hit popularity with mainstream society until about the mid-1990s. Bark mitzvahs are controversial in some circles but have been embraced as a way to celebrate the blessing of canine companions and to raise funds during Purim (a religious holiday in the Jewish tradition). Pop culture has adopted the trend—throwing not just bark mitzvahs but meow mitzvahs, equine mitzvahs, and other similar celebrations.

3. Who do you invite to a pet mitzvah?
Be sure to invite people who are open to the celebration. Many religious centers are finding that they can attract new membership through pet events of all types but not everyone is open the pet mitzvah or blessing trend.

Some pet mitzvahs are attended by humans only, while others invite the critter’s animal buddies or the whole community involved in the fundraising. If you are holding a private affair, consider just inviting your pet’s best animal pal to keep the party more manageable—and make it easier to party longer!

Although you can suggest a dress code—when you party with pets it should be casual. The guest of honor should be outfitted in appropriate attire but the rest of the party animals should have an option.

Some pet mitzvah hosts give out souvenir gifts such as yarmulkes or Star of David goodie bags or bandanas. Specify any gifting rules so guests can avoid giving the guest of honor raw hide or something that is off limits.

Finally, specify that each pet owner is responsible for the good behavior of the animal. Even so, have contingency plans for poop patrol and have a specific toilet area with a trash can and scoop.

If a pet gets a bit unruly—make sure there is a special room or crate for a time-out. Usually that is enough to get an animal back on track—and it beats having to send him or her home.

4. Secure the pet mitzvah location.
This is important for many reasons. I prefer intimate settings at home but your party animals might do better in a larger, secure location.

If you invite pets the party location needs to be pet friendly and secure. There are pet party locations available complete with professional staff. These locations are insured and are specifically oriented to these types of venues—and more importantly—they clean up!

Finally, if you are conducting a fundraiser during Purim, many synagogues celebrate in the “barking lot” or on the lawn outside the temple.

5. Pick out pet mitzvah invitations and decorations.
Picking out invitation and pet mitzvah decorations is easy today. Ten years ago there weren’t too many options out there for furry festivities. However, now there are pet party packs, specialty cookies or cakes, and bark mitzvah certificates, along with tallits and yarmulkes especially for pets.

If you are in a religious community, consider using specialty leashes, collars, pet tags, or bandanas with the Star of David emblazoned on them so as not to offend those who feel that holding pet mitzvahs is barking up the wrong tree but some synagogues celebrate and give out bark mitzvah certificates to pet participants.

6. Who officiates over a pet mitzvah?
If you holding a bark mitzvah fundraiser during Purim, or celebrating along the lines of a pet blessing, ask a Rabbi or cantor to oversee your pet mitzvah.

If not, anyone can officiate just use the ceremonies and prayers from the “Rites of Paws-age: Muzzle Tov!” chapter in Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers & Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures.

You might also want to have someone specifically on “poop patrol” if you are holding a bark mitzvah.

Continued in Ten Tips on How to Give a Pet Mitzvh (Part Three)

Ten Tips on How to Give a Pet Mitzvah (Part One)

Copyright 2007 by Diana L Guerrero. All rights reserved.

This is the first of a three part article about how to celebrate a pet mitzvah—a trend that first began in the 1980s but didn’t hit popularity with mainstream society until about the mid-1990s. Bark mitzvahs are controversial in some circles but have been embraced as a way to celebrate the blessing of canine companions and to raise funds during Purim (a religious holiday in the Jewish tradition). Pop culture has adopted the trend—-throwing not just bark mitzvahs but meow mitzvahs, equine mitzvahs, and other similar celebrations.


In the Jewish tradition there is a coming of age ceremony for boys and girls. This is called a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah (respectively). Although one Rabbi saw his first critter in a tallit (prayer shawl) back in the 1970s it was actually not until the 1980s “bark mitzvahs” began to be held as fundraisers during Purim, a Jewish holiday. These were held in the “barking lots” of synagogues and other community gathering places.

However, in the mid-1990s pet owners began to celebrate their pets with not only “bark mitzvahs” but also with “meow mitzvahs,” and “equine mitzvahs.” Many of these people were not of the Jewish faith, or any particular faith at all, what happened was that the celebration became a pop culture phenomena.

For instance, Joan Rivers got plenty of media coverage when she held a “bark mitzvah” for her beloved dog, Spike. Unlike the human tradition where the event is held at the age of 13, pet mitzvahs are held at any time.

Some people hold the celebration at adolescence (around six months of age) while others figure that if pet aging is one year to every seven, then the party should be around 2 years of age, and still others celebrate when their pet hits the actual milestone of 13 years of age.

Pet mitzvahs are held in celebration of your pet, and to love and appreciation for all the great things he or she contributes to your life and also those of your friends and family. Some synagogues or pet lovers use pet mitzvahs as another way to celebrate the presence of Godin their lives.

Pet parties, such as mitzvahs, are celebrations and can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Personally, I love the simple life but people have spent thousands of dollars on these celebrations.

In this three part series you'll find links to pet mitzvahs from around the United States. You’ll also find ceremonies and more specific hints in Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers & Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures


1. Determine if your pet is really a party animal.
This may sound silly but your animal should be a social creature if you are going to hold a big pet mitzvah celebration. If you pet is aggressive to other animals or not very amiable to humans—-make your celebration an intimate family affair.

Most people realize that pets are not religious but their families are and the trend of including animals in ceremonies has increased as more animals become treasured furry family members. The rise of animals invited into religious centers, businesses, and the increase in specialty services for pets are just a few indicators of how the human-animal bond has strengthened and grown.



If your pet is a party animal…well, go wild! Just make sure you set a start time and an end time. Usually a couple of hours is ample time for a pet mitzvah.

2. Decide when and why you want to hold the pet mitzvah.
The decision to hold the pet mitzvah is the easy part. Pick a date so you can determine if you will need to hold an indoor or outdoor celebration because of weather.

Part of this process will be to make a guest list because if you are going to invite a bunch of people (and/or animals) you’ll need a place that can accommodate everyone.

Also, decide why you are holding the pet mitzvah. Is it for a fundraiser for a charity or simply a reason to celebrate the fact that your pet is a blessing? Once you decide you can then narrow down the options for a location.

Continued in Ten Tips on How to Give a Pet Mitzvah (Part Two)

What is a bark mitzvah?

Floyd drooling over his bark mitzvah cake!

When Floyd turned 13 years of age, his family thought it would be fun to give him a bark mitzvah. No, that is not a typo—Floyd is a canine. A bark mitzvah is a pet mitzvah held in honor of a dog. There are also meow and equine mitzvahs…and probably a few more that you and I have not heard of yet.

In the Jewish tradition the bar or bat mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony for a boy or a girl. So, the “faux mitvzahs” (pet mitzvahs in general) are making the fur fly in some circles.

In fact, Jewish News Weekly recited an account from the 1970s when Rabbi Ferenc Raj, now of Berkeley's Reform Congregation Beth El, conducted a Brooklyn bar mitzvah and was stunned to see a monkey guest wearing a tallit (prayer shawl).

Pet mitzvah events began to take hold in the early 1980s when they were held as fundraisers during Purim, a religious holiday celebrated with merriment, costumes, gift giving, socializing, and fund raising for specific charities.

Years later the pet mitzvah trend began to hit mainstream when celebrities, such as Joan Rivers, honored pets with mitzvah celebrations. Not too long ago (2005) Countdown with Keith Olberman covered the story of how Edie and Ed Ruby threw a bark mitzvah for their precious pooch (click to watch the video).

The fact is that no matter how you feel about it, these celebrations are here to stay and there is a whole industry popping up around all kinds of beastly celebrations. Party animals can find specialty cakes and snacks, party packs, and even get Star of David collars and leashes, or the canine and feline versions of the tallit and yarmulke.

Need pet friendly party snacks?
Click for pet party treats


Today most people who hold such events are looking to celebrate the life of their pet and the joy an animal has brought to them.

To celebrate his special occasion, Floyd was outfitted in a doggie tallit and yarmulke (skull cap) as he greeted his guests—and literally drooled all over his special mitzvah cake...

Do you have a pet mitzvah story to share? Leave a comment below.

Below: Any ideas about who should officiate over pet mitzvahs?

I lied...a new site you might like with blessing of the animals links...

Above: Dash (Good Dog Ideas Blog)--Dogs Just Want to Have Fun!

Okay, so I just said I was going to post less frequently but then I found this cute picture of Dash, who is probably the supervisor of Janet, over at the blog Good Dog Ideas.

Janet has a great collection of links to animal blessing stories and resources from 2006 including:


Christ Episcopal Church in Bethany, Connecticut
Elon University in North Carolina

Drop by and check it out and leave her a comment!

Pet Loss and Other Musings

I found this interesting commentary on pet loss by Fiona Gibson today and thought that it brought up some good points.

What do you think? Have you faced such matters and how have you handled them? Here is another story about the loss of Jessica rabbit.

Today there are more resources on pet loss--and it is a big section in Blessing of the Animals but I'd be really interested in hearing what you have to say.

You may have noticed that I have dropped back in my posting. For those of you who have subscribed via email...I just thought that commenting everyday might have been too much. Let me know what you think would be the best amount of posting--you can comment below.

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you have a great 4th of July. If you pets get nervous check out this 4th of July article at my website Ark Animals and for the other side of the story on the Lion Whisperer visit my rant (or rant rather) at Ark Animal Answers.

If you are near Santa Barbara make sure you check out the Spirit of 76 Parade (photo courtesy of that website).

Lion Lover

Over at the Life in the Fast Lane blog I found this photo of Kevin Richardson in Africa. The snap reminds me of one of the lions I knew by the name of Zamba--you can read about him if you use the link to buy the book below.

Male lions can be affectionate but can also get into a grump really quickly. However, I think you'll love to check out the additional photos over at the Daily Mail and read the original article by GLENYS ROBERTS, too.

4th of July, pet blessings, and other Blessing of the Animals news...

Whoops--I've got busy and have meant to drop by and send you a few items of note. I hope you all have a great holiday.



Patriotic Dog above is part of this 4th of July pet parade promotion at myspace.com!

Here are a couple of pet parades for the 4th of July.

These stories were supposed to get posted before they happened but I figured you might want to note them in your calendar for next year since pet parades and blessings are so fun! This pet blessing was in San Francisco while this pet parade took place in Ventura.