Buttercup went to meet Jesus today!

Today Buttercup and me went to St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Oxford Street where they were having a "blessing of the animals" service.
We'd never been to one before - so I thought we'd go check one out - Buttercup seemed happy to be going to one, didn't she?
When we got there, there was even someone friendly enough who offered to take a photo of Buttercup and me with my camera!
I'd say the turnout was really good, there was probably 40 people, about 10 cats, at least 15 dogs - and 1 fish.
Luckily it was a beautiful day outside - because the service was held outside the church on the front steps - the animals certainly didn't mind that it was held outside.
I knew this lady - and the dog on the right - is Duffy - Buttercup used to play with her almost every day when they were both younger. Buttercup and Duffy used to be so CUTE when they played together. There's a really sweet photo of them playing on a blog post from years ago if you want to click on the link.
This is a good shot of the crowd.
This is the priest and the deacon doing the ceremony - I went and googled to find a prayer of St. Francis - and I put one of them below for your enjoyment.
Here is one lady with her very brave cat - to get out of her carrier with all the dogs around - that she didn't go nuts and run away!

Here's a prayer from St. Francis for animals:

Prayer of Saint Francis for Animals

God Our Heavenly Father,
You created the world
to serve humanity's needs
and to lead them to You.
By our own fault
we have lost the beautiful relationship
which we once had with all your creation.
Help us to see
that by restoring our relationship with You
we will also restore it
with all Your creation.
Give us the grace
to see all animals as gifts from You
and to treat them with respect
for they are Your creation.

We pray for all animals
who are suffering as a result of our neglect.
May the order You originally established
be once again restored to the whole world
through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary,
the prayers of Saint Francis
and the merits of Your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ
Who lives and reigns with You
now and forever. Amen.