Meowzal Tov!

Amy Guth aka Faithhacker at jewcy.com mentioned Blessing of the Animals but didn't find my series on bark mitzvahs. Instead she listed that eHow article. So, I need to get her a list and so here is the list for you--in case you missed it this last July.

• What is a bark mitzvah?
• Ten Tips on How To Give A Bark Mitzvah Part One,
• Bark Mitvah Part Two,
• How to Give A Bark Mitzvah Part Three
  

Check out the short pet mitzvah excerpt that I have here online.

I also put up a link to the Kool Dog Cafe in past posts...they have the best Hannukah (and other) Dog Treats:

I have some Hannukah Pet Products in my shopping cart so check those out--includes the Star of David pet tags and pet mitzvah wear.

Happy Thanksgiving & Pet Care Safety Tips

I am currently traveling and am in the San Diego area but I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you will take a few moments to ponder the things you are thankful for. For those of you with pets, here are a few Thanksgiving pet safety tips.

Blessing of the Hounds: November Tradition

Above: Blessing of the Hunt at Grace Episcopal--
Rev Julie's prayer is featured in Blessing of the Animals!

The Blessing of the Hounds, or Blessings of the Hunt, usually take place in association with the feast day of St Hubert. In France, Luxembourg, and Belium this is on or near November 3rd.

Many traditions celebrate the event at the start of hunting season or on Thanksgiving...so many events will probably begin this weekend.

There are a lot of legends out there but I enjoyed this legend of St Hubert with the tie into Jagermeister.

Above: Celebrating St. Hubert. Photo courtesy of Wallonia, Belgium website.

Wallonia, Belgium: Pays de Saint-Hubert

Blessing of the Hounds by Rev. Charlotte Waldrop, Vicar of All Saints Episcopal Church.

Potomac Hunt

Legend about Blessing of the Hounds

Blessing of the Horses: November 2007

Photo courtesy of the tourist board of upper Bavaria.

The people of the Alps celebrate St. Leonhard more than almost any other saint. Once known as the “Bauernherrgott“ (the Lord God of farmers) St. Leonhard is now celebrated as the protector of all those who work the land. He is also the patron saint of horses and farm animals.

Most villages in Upper Bavaria celebrate St. Leonhard as a tradition to ask for his protection. The Leonhard procession in Kreuth that dates as far back as 1442 and is thought to be the oldest surviving ceremony of its kind anywhere in the region.

Recently more than 400 people witnessed traditional costumes, musicians and riflemen making their way up the hill to St. Leonhard’s chapel. Colorful decorated carts and horses joined the procession there.

After the service carts, horses and riders circle the chapel while praying, “Holy Leonhard have mercy on us“. In ancient time as today St. Leonhard is asked to protect cattle and horses from illness, to watch over the farms and ward off financial straits.

You can see the original announcement about St Leonhard at the tourist board of upper Bavaria.

Leonhardifahrt in Kreuthuse Babel Fishto translate this site!

Believer Magazine & Blessing of the Animals

Just a quick note to say you might want to read the article in Believer Magazine called the Visual Erotics of Mini-Weddings by Rachel Poliquin although it is not just about pet weddings--the article talks about a few admist musings about an assortent of odd nuptials.