- December 17, 2025
Pam Vandercook brought Lucy and Charlie, golden doodles, both rescues. Photo by Wayne Grant
Legend Austin poses with his great-grandmother, Pat Boyens and Copper, a dachshund. Photo by Wayne Grant
Zoey receives a blessing while being held by owner Jeanne Doherty. Photo by Wayne Grant
Carol Hinzman brought Pepe, 8, for a blessing. Photo by Wayne Grant
Jackie Mattina holds her tabby cat, Jay, who remained very calm among the dogs at the ceremony. Photo by Wayne Grant
Kim McMaster holds Rowdy as Don McMaster looks on as Kia receives a blessing from The Rev. Stephen Pessah. Photo by Wayne Grant
Betty Rojas holds her dwarf macaw, Max, and dog, Tinkerbell. Photo by Wayne Grant
Carol Hinzman adopted Pepe, a chihuahua, from Russia through the Arni Foundation. She said Pepe didn’t bark for a long time, and a friend said perhaps it was because he didn’t speak a word of English. But eventually he learned to bark, but only at people coming to the front door.
Pepe was one of a dozen dogs, one bird and one cat at the Church of the Holy Child, 1225 W. Granada Blvd. for the annual Blessing of the Animals.
“There is no greater reflection of God, than in our animals,” said The Reverend Stephen Pessah. “They love us unconditionally.”
