Jim and Barb Speers with their dog, who was ready to be blessed by Bruce Allport, Deacon in charge Parish of Riverslea. Photo / Warren Buckland
It was a church service with a difference.
Pets were welcome, some even joined in with the hymns.
At St Matthew's Church in Hastings on Sunday, pets were invited to church to be blessed.
The service, which is to celebrate the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment, saw around 60 humans, and 30 non-humans, come to the church.
Reverend Alister Hendery said it was a remarkably calm event, although a musician's dog joined in with the hymns.
It was mainly cats and dogs this year, with a few birds and rabbits also in attendance.
"No donkeys this year," Hendery said.
Having been at the parish only eight months, it was the first time Hendery had attended the Blessing of the Animals at St Matthew's, although he has been to them at other parishes.