Once a year, my beloved dog Phineas has a playdate with dozens of other dogs, cats, guinea pigs, bunnies, bearded dragons and donkeys from around the corridor. I’m not sure who enjoys it more, me or him. (OK, it’s probably me.) Prairiewoods’ annual Blessing of the Animals gives me and Phin a chance to meet and play with a wide variety of animal companions. (And this year’s Blessing will be extra special for me, because we recently added a second dog to our family—she definitely needs to be blessed!)
This year’s celebration will be held entirely online via Zoom. While that’s a little disappointing for those of us who like to interact one-on-one with a ton of area animals, it will allow even more to participate. Have a shy or aggressive dog? A cat who hates being in a carrier? A beloved fish? A huge farm animal that isn’t easily transported? They’re all welcome to join us from the comfort of our homes!
The Blessing of the Animals will be part of our St. Francis Day Celebration this Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. via Zoom. In addition to celebrating our beloved animal friends, we will launch our new book of poetry in honor of the stately trees at Prairiewoods. Outstretched Boughs began as a joint effort by Prairiewoods friend Kathy Decker and foundress Betty Daugherty, FSPA. During the creation of this book, we lost both women, so it was lovingly completed in their memory. The book was released the week before the derecho, so it is also in memory of the many trees lost to the storm, including some featured through poems or photographs in the book.
Lovers of trees, friends of animals and poetry aficionados are all invited to participate in this special day! Join us this Sunday at 2 p.m. via Zoom for this free celebration. (Use meeting ID 897 4272 0267 and password 731481.) We hope you and your animal friends will help us celebrate St. Francis, beloved animals and treasured trees!
—Andi Lewis, Prairiewoods marketing coordinator