'Paws' for prayer: Mink, a member of the Lyford Cay K-9 Unit receives his blessing from Archdeacon Keith Cartwright (right) as his trainer Cpl. Ricardo Adderley (left) and security commander Vincent Charlton (centre) look on. ( Photo by Roland Rose for DP&A)

Cats and dogs put aside their age-old battle October 4 and sat respectfully at attention side-by-side on the pews (and floor) of St. Christopher's Anglican Church to commemorate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

In the cosy little Lyford Cay church that has witnessed and marked the joys and sorrows, the marriages, births and deaths of some of the world's most renowned citizens, this day belonged to furry, finned and fine-feathered friends. It was a celebration of the Blessing of the Animals and it was potcakes and pedigrees, a cat and a turtle and their human companions who listened to a brief sermon by Archdeacon Keith Cartwright.

"There is too much animal cruelty in the Bahamas," noted the Archdeacon. "We need to remember that all animals are God's creatures and they must be treated humanely with dignity and respect."

Following the service inside, Archdeacon Cartwright continued to deliver his message on foot, praying for animals unable to attend church. Among those blessed were scores of fish, birds, cats and dogs plus several turtles. His first stop was the Lyford Cay Security Kennels to bless the six dogs making up the K-9 unit.

"I took three of my animals to be blessed," said Bahamas Humane Society board member and devoted pet mother Kim Aranha. "So many people forget that animals are God's creatures and treat them horribly, so it was lovely to have a little treat like this I think next year we are going to hold the service later in the afternoon so children can participate by bringing their animals."

Animal Kingdom: Archdeacon Keith Cartwright (centre) holds Digger Aranha, the only reptile represented at St. Christopher's Anglican Church as Connie and Nancy Burnette, Paul and Kim Aranha, Raphael and Chloe Cartwright and staff of various Lyford Cay residents embraced their beloved pets following a blessing to mark the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the animals. ( Photo by Roland Rose for DP&A)

At church on Thursday, pets were on their Sunday best behaviour.

"They seemed to understand something important was going on and it was very easy to control them," said Mrs. Aranha. "They minded their manners in every regard."

Similar services were held around the world to celebrate St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). Renowned for his gentle ways, love of animals and an almost surrealistic appeal to birds who flew to him and sat at his feet, St. Francis gave up his many worldly possessions to dedicate his life to God. His teachings of kindness and belief in sparseness of material things to build strength of spirit were the basis that formed the Franciscan order of Monks and Nuns.