Bless you all, whether furry, feathery, leathery or wearing skin
The Long Beach Christian Fellowship's Blessing of the Pets and Pet Fair takes place this Saturday, Sept. 13.
Autumn holidays focus on the warmth of friends and family, the spiritual and the spectral. This Saturday, Sept. 13, beginning at 4 p.m., the Long Beach Christian Fellowship (LBCF) will present the Blessing of the Animals and Pet Fair. All are welcome, no matter the belief.
According to event organizer Tom Hanberg, animal blessings comprise a tradition that goes back centuries. Blessings are associated with St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, and generally take place Oct. 4. Mid-September might seem early for an observation that takes place in early October, but hey, businesses have been hawking Halloween stuff and pumpkin spice everything since late August.
Posters for the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade have popped up on Second Street for a couple of weeks now. So, a free, noncommercial event that’s all about animals? Why not?
Our city is now blessed with two animal-blessing events. The 23rd annual Interfaith Blessing of the Animals, hosted by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team, is scheduled for mid-October — more on that in the future. I always wonder, though, if animals are the ones who need blessings. Aren’t our loved pets blessed already, and don’t humans need them more?
After writing pet columns for over 15 years and featuring animals who are clearly not blessed with loving humans, good homes and humane treatment, it’s clear that blessing any animal is a good place to start. It’s kind of returning the favor, because they bless us with unconditional love and pet fur on the sofa. Hanberg agrees.
“Our pets give us unconditional love, and that makes them true blessings,” he said. “This ceremony is a moment to celebrate them and to share some love and light with each other, even when the world currently feels extra heavy.”
Hanberg got the idea for organizing an animal blessing from a church that he used to attend.
“My partner and I have been part of Long Beach Christian Fellowship for about a year now, and when I suggested hosting the event here, the church loved it and encouraged me to make it happen,” he said. “A group of church volunteers, along with a few of my friends, have been working together to bring it to life.”
Sponsors for the event include Good Vibes Mobile Veterinary Services, the Willow Cat Hotel, Don Doggos pet grooming and Hanberg’s own website development company, Skyhound Internet.
“I bought a friend of mine a robotic dog as a gift,” Hanberg said. “He wasn’t home enough to have a real dog. He said, ‘I’m going to name him Skyhound,’ and I thought that was the coolest name, so a new business was born. Twenty-plus years later, the dog is missing an ear and barely moves, but he’s happy he inspired a business!”
The Blessing is central to the event, but the Pet Fair is the fun part. Kids will enjoy a professional face painter, attendees will enter drawings for door prizes, and everyone can meet the Long Beach Police Department’s K9 officers and their human handlers. The event is free, including nail trims for cats and dogs and food from Monster Tacos while supplies last. Donations will be gratefully accepted — they’ll help support the volunteers who made the event possible.
Remember to leash your pet or bring them in a carrier. Bring photos or keepsakes of pets who prefer to remain at home, don’t do well in public, or have passed on. If you don’t have a pet to bless, you can adopt one from Sparky and The Gang, The Little Lion Foundation, and other local rescues. Helen Sanders CatPAWS will be there to talk about their spay/neuter program.
Blessings will be given by co-pastors, Danny Cortez and Mary Dorsett, with Pastor Emerita Barb Sunofsky also taking part.
“For us at LBCF, this is all about community outreach. We hope to meet new people and their pets, offer blessings for both current and departed animals, and share our open and affirming LGBT+ faith community here in Long Beach.”
Wonder if Skyhound himself will come. He sounds like he could use a blessing or three!
The Blessing of the Animals and Pet Fair takes place Saturday, Sept. 13, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Long Beach Christian Fellowship, 3210 E. Airport Way, Long Beach. Free event.
YOURS DROOLY
The pets at Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) have all been abandoned, neglected, abused or given up because their human family could no longer care for them. It’s a blessing that they’ve wound up in a shelter like LBACS, where they’re getting care, attention and medical services from the loving staff and volunteers. But the staff and volunteers will all tell you that no matter how good a shelter is, animals need more than a couple of hours of love and play and need a better place to relax and sleep than in a kennel.
If you can be a blessing in an animal’s life, visit LBACS Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Here are a few candidates. To adopt or foster any of them, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process, or call 562-570-7387. Better yet, meet them all in person at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, at entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors).
You know the way you try to get a cat to pose for a photo? As soon as they strike a pose you love, they move the second before you focus the camera. Not so Daniel (ID#A746421)! Daniel is highly cooperative and photogenic! He’s a very handsome gray-and-white tabby who was found as a stray in Signal Hill and brought to LBACS August. He’s so tall and gangly that you'd never know that he’s only 3 months old and weighs 5 and a half pounds! He has a great personality — he’s so friendly, loves attention, and even enjoys belly rubs! If you want to adopt him, hurry on over to the shelter to grab this cutie-patootie!
LBACS is overflowing with dogs, and the volunteers and staff are always coming up with ingenious ways to spotlight them, particularly the big doggies and the ones who’ve been kenneled for a long time. One of the volunteers recently organized a fancy photoshoot at Dogma Pet Portraits, and Valeria (ID#A736424) was one of 13 lucky dogs who recently got the star treatment. Valeria is a 6-year-old Staffordshire terrier with a gentle, playful spirit and a love for life’s simple pleasures. A stroll through the neighborhood, a nap in the sunshine, and a cozy snuggle with her favorite people are all it takes to make her happy. She was also blessed to spend four weeks with a foster, who gave her a glowing review. She’s house-trained and crate-trained, and she thrived with the structure and routine she got at the foster home. Valeria knows several basic commands and is eager to learn more, especially when yummy treats are involved. She adores meeting new people and has been friendly with other dogs. Valeria is the perfect balance of playful companion and laid-back cuddle buddy.
Follow the directions on Marigold’s vest, and you’ll feel blessed forever! So will she. Marigold (ID#A736744) is a 3-year-old German shepherd who is great on a leash. In fact, this photo was taken during a pack walk, and the volunteers who were with her said that she seemed so happy to get away from the arfing and yapping in the kennels! This lovely girl was found wandering a busy Long Beach street and wound up at LBACS, where she showed herself to be a sweet dog, eager to please. Bless her with the home she deserves.
TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS
Cool happenings at Cool Cat Collective
September swings at Long Beach’s cat-themed art collective! Actual cats from Tipped Ears rescue also reside there, waiting for someone to take them home forever! Check it all out here!
Pet adoption and vaccine/microchip clinic at Fiesta in the Park
Take a walk on the west side to a celebration that includes live music and dancing, food trucks, free food for kids, art workshops, and giveaways. Enjoy bounce houses, face painting, and even a video game arcade pop-up and a build-your-own skateboard station! Get acquainted with Long Beach’s resources, including our shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Services! Bring your dog or cat (on leashes or in carriers, of course) and get them their vaccines and microchips (bring your vaccine paperwork if you can). No pet? The Adoption Waggin’ will be there with cats and dogs to adopt!
Fiesta in the Park takes place Saturday, Sept. 13, noon–5 p.m. at Admiral Kidd Park, 2125 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach
Crafternoon Session: ‘Beztie’ Friendship Bracelets
Feline Good Social Club has just added a new activity to its list of monthly fun, which includes Cats and Mats Yoga, Crochet with Cats and the Fall Sound Bath Series, the latter being the only bath you’ll likely get a cat to take. Humans 13 and up can make two bracelets at this session, one for themselves and one for another human friend while you contend with the adoptable kitties in the lounge to keep them from batting the materials off the table. FGSC provides the supplies, including a sparkling array of beads. Reserve a space here!
‘Beztie’ Friendship Bracelet sessions take place at 130 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, at the Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach
Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.
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