All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures. That there are today over 62 million cats in the US attests to the continuing affection we have for our furry, feathered or finned friends. We have a cat called Socks and a dog named Buddy in the White House. Other popular presidential pets range from Abraham Lincoln's Fido to Lyndon Johnson's beagles, named Him and Her. For single householders, a pet can be a true companion.
Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return.
Many a senior has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature. The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated. At Franciscan churches, a friar with brown robe and white cord often welcomes each animal with a special prayer.