A day of blessings

MANILA, Philippines - The pet blessing of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) was held at the Music Hall of the Mall of Asia last Oct. 10. A special Mass for the occasion was officiated by Fr. Joey Paras, SDB.

Two of the dogs rescued by PAWS from the floods caused by Ondoy were present at the blessing. Lyndon, a brown, short-haired native dog, was rescued from the roof of one of the houses in Provident Village in Marikina; and Twiggy, who was found shivering on a table inside a waist-high flooded barangay outpost, was rescued in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig. The two Aspins were accompanied by the people who rescued them.

Over a hundred humans and their pets were present at the blessing, which has become a tradition for animal lovers all over the country.

“I came today because there has been so much suffering in our country lately,” said Jill Mariano, who has attended most of the pet blessing events of PAWS. “It is a good day to give thanks for our pet companions and to the animal welfare groups that have gone out of their way to rescue dogs, cats and even turtles who were victims of the floods caused by Ondoy.”

The Mass ended with a special pledge read by pet owners to their pets and a blessing of the animals.

“I promise that you will not feel hunger, fear or pain.

“That I will not give you up in times of sickness, the way that I know you will stand by me all the days of my life.

“I will not confine you to a cage or leash and provide you with exercise and companionship.

“I will be responsible for you in a way that my fellow human beings will not be angry at you nor punish you for roaming in the streets.

“This is my pledge to you, and with the help of God, let me keep this promise.”

The event was made possible with the help of Alpo Chop House, McDonald’s, Frontline Plus, Magnolia Healthtea, Magnolia Fruitdrink, Magnolia Purewater, By Nature Handmade Soaps, Human Nature, Yes Movement, The Picture Company, Krispy Kreme, Mypetchannel.tv and the Philippine STAR Pet Life Section.