Scratch This: Annual Interfaith Blessing deepens the bond between pets and their people
Event will take place against a glorious Long Beach sunset.
Animals, as you know, are already blessed, but it’s a heart-tugger for their human companions to be reminded how blessed they are to share a loving home with us. And more so, of course, how blessed we are to have them in our lives.
On Sunday, Oct. 20, at 5:45 p.m., The Community Action Team’s Interfaith Blessing of the Animals will welcome an eclectic assortment of species — dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, turtles and tortoises, snakes, lizards, a piggie or two, maybe a goldfish — who will receive such blessings from an equally diverse clergy. Religious leaders at this writing include Rev. Dr. David Clark, senior pastor of the Bay Shore Church; Rev. Ava Park, founder and presiding priestess at the Goddess Temple of Orange County; Pastor Kevin Johnson, lead pastor of Strength Church, Long Beach; Lutheran pastor Maria Paiva; and a rabbinical intern from Temple Israel. Last year, over 300 pets received blessings, and event organizer Justin Rudd expects a similar number.
The blessing will take place on the concrete boat launch ramp, 1 Granada Ave., Long Beach in the Belmont Shore neighborhood. At the start of the event, against the atmospheric backdrop of the sun setting into the ocean, Rudd will hold a moment of silence and a blessing for abused and neglected pets; animals waiting or euthanized in shelters; roosters and dogs used in fights and other inhumane, unethical treatment; and creatures living in forests, skies, deserts, oceans and urban streets. Wear long sleeves because it may be chilly and also because you’ll be wiping your eyes a lot.
After each member of the clergy speaks, the participants will line up for blessings by the faith leader or leaders of their choice. Humans whose pets have left them for the Rainbow Bridge may bring collars, favorite toys, photos or ashes of their soulmates. Attendees may also bring possessions and photos of pets who are sick or too immobile to attend.
The Interfaith Blessing of the Animals is now in its 22nd year of being a devotional event that connects animals and humans.
“It's important to recognize and honor the great bond and relationship between pets and their people,” Rudd said.
The Interfaith Blessing of the Animals takes place Sunday, Oct. 20, 5:45 p.m. to around 6:30 p.m., on the concrete boat launch ramp adjacent to Rosie's Dog Beach, 1 Granada Ave., Long Beach. The event is free. Please make sure that your pets are leashed, in carriers or enclosures, and are well-behaved and safe.
Yours drooly
Here are a few adorable adoptables who hope that their cute ways and tricks will entice you to give them the treat they deserve — forever, loving homes.
Speed the process to adopt or foster any LBACS pet by calling 562-570-4925. Shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors).
Rusty (ID#A713324) is a 1-year-old, 50-pound fellow who’s been at the shelter since January. He loves playing in the yard and watching the other dogs, although he seems to prefer people to dogs — he gets so excited when he goes to spend time out of the kennel with them! During walks, though, he’s mellow and easy. Rusty’s in foster now and will probably spend Halloween there, but as of the end of December, he’ll have been in the shelter for a year. How nice it would be if he could ring in the new year in a forever home!
Lucas (ID#A713619) is also about to spend a year’s anniversary in a kennel if someone doesn’t come for him. He’s also been in the shelter since January. Lucas is a dear, sweet 5-year old, 85-pound Siberian Husky who loves to walk and might even make a good jogging partner, as he does the occasional on-leash trot. He also seems to have no prey drive, ignoring such things as SQUIRRELS! on his walks. A volunteer who took him on a “field trip” to their neighborhood said that Lucas may never have been properly socialized and may have just lived in someone’s yard. The volunteer said that he needs a home with patient humans who’ll take things slowly and give him space. He might do well with other low-key dogs, but very young children may be too unpredictable for his comfort.
Dixie (ID#A728097) looks like a kitten, but she’s actually eight years old! She’s a quiet, pretty tricolor 8-year-old who came to the shelter as a stray in September. She was ill with a URI, but she finally recovered and is ready to sleep on someone’s clean laundry. Dixie’s a little shy at first, but once she feels at ease, she loves pets on her face and back. It's easy to fall in love with this little beauty!
Tail-waggin’ and nose-boopin’ events
Long Beach Third Annual Pet Fair
What’s harvest season without a fair? The Long Beach Third Annual Pet Fair promises a bumper crop of everything good for our BFFFs (best fuzzy friends forever): a full weekend of adoptions, vendors, raffle items, and contests for you and your buddy! Free to attend, thanks to generous sponsorships!
The Fair takes place Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., at Marina Green Park, 386 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach. Free to attend; $5 donation suggested at door.
Back to the ’80s Howl-o-ween Gala
No one throws a party like the gang at Sparky and the Gang, and the one they’ll toss this month promises to be a real howl! In fact, it’s called the Back to the ’80s Howl-o-ween Gala! The party isn’t for dogs to attend — it’s for their lovin’ humans — but the funds raised through tickets will help the doggies in Sparky fosters and in the parvo emergency clinic at Fix Long Beach. Dress up in your fave-rave ’80s outfits, dance to vinyl that the DJ spins, chow down at the taco and dessert bar (vegan options), and wag your tails big time!
The party takes place Saturday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.–11 p.m. at PCH Club, Golden Sails Hotel, 6285 Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach. Tickets are $75 general admission, which includes a swag bag, and $100 VIP, which includes a special goodie bag, reserved seating and, of course, a bigger donation for the dogs at the clinic. Buy tickets at the door, or scan the QR code at this link. Access link for more information.
Meowloween Nights
A weekend of wooo! and weow! are awaiting at Feline Good Social Club! Punk Rawk Yoga is an oxymoron of relaxation with the raw sounds of groups like Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Come in costume, and let the kitties walk all over you! This time, you dress up like a cat and win some winsome prizes! The kitties will be there, too, probably dressed as people and waiting to be adopted by one of you!
Meowloween Nights runs Friday, Oct. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Punk Rawk Yoga takes place Sunday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m. Feline Good Social Club is located at 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach. Access this link to make reservations for the events, and see de-tails on this sprightly video short!
Monster Cats Art Show
Not that we need any reminder that cats are strange, but not even Edgar Allan Poe or H.P. Lovecraft — OK, maybe Lovecraft — can show their inner weirdness like the artists at the Monster Cats Art Show. While you’re there, check out the concurrent CCLAWS art show, and don’t dare ignore the adoptable rescues from Tipped Ears Rescue. If you’re attracted by all the weirdness, you can have an oddling of your own.
The Monster Cats Art show runs through Oct. 31, Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at the Cool Cat Collective gallery, 2741 E 4th St., C, Long Beach. Free to attend.
Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.
