A horse does what a horse must do
All animals may be equal in the eye of the Creator, but that didn't stop a miniature pony stealing the show at Sunday's blessing of the animals in Kerikeri.
Shadow, who barely reaches chest height on owner Cinnamon Bridge, was the only non-canine creature in the queue for a blessing at St James' Church hall on Kerikeri's Stone Store Hill. He was also the only blessee to heed the call of nature mid-service, sending owner and church volunteers scurrying for dustpans and paper towels.
The service was organised by the Bay of Islands SPCA in honour of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and led by Rev Sandy McKay. Unlike past years there were no fish, fowl or felines, but eight dogs of wildly varying stature did their best to make up for their absence.
Among them were Huey, a God-fearing schnauzer/bearded collie cross who joins the congregation every Sunday, a pair of toy poodles, the official Outreach Therapy pets-in-residence at Kerikeri Retirement Village, and Wookie, who had more reasons than most to count his blessings on Sunday.
The possible greyhound cross was hairless, severely afflicted by mange and weighing just 1.4 kilograms when he was found on the side of a road at Puketi five months ago.
Near death when he was taken in by former SPCA inspectors Jim and Gail Boyd, he now weighs in at 20 kilograms and is the picture of doggy contentment.
The Boyds were among seven Bay of Islands residents honoured during the service with Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medallions for Meritorious Volunteer Service, 1000 of which have been awarded to SPCA volunteers around the country. The other recipients were Diana Baker, Alan Baker, Kay Boese, Quid Cookson and Jaynee Cannon, whose medal was accepted by Mary Norris.
Bay of Islands SPCA committee member Jane McBride praised the work of the volunteers, then quoted the Vicar of Dibley as she addressed the congregation: "Thank you for behaving yourselves and not making a mess, and that goes for the animals too."
That was all the encouragement Shadow needed.
More pics - page 6.