St. George's Anglican Church had a bring your pet to church day to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis.
Dogs sat on the floor in the pews. Some barked, others took loud gulps of water. No accidents happened but there were doggy bags just in case.
"I just thought it was a great opportunity to have them both last because they bring great joy to me," said Nancy Hewat, St. George's churchgoer.
When Hewat was battling breast cancer her dog Tanner brought her great companionship. "She was so patient because I was so sick," she said.
Hewat's mom has recently passed away and Pico, her younger dog, has been by her side.
"I took them into my mom all the time. And everyone the residents and staff love them. I love watching them. And she's learned to be very good. And I've got her in therapy, dog training," said Hewat.
"So it was really nice to have the animals come out with the people. And of course, during COVID animals have been so important to people," said Bruce Carrick, St. George's warden.
Since the pandemic brought people outdoors and going for long walks with their pets people got to see what it was like for animals living in God's world, said Carrick.
"St. Francis was the patron saint saint of animals as he was known. And it's really nice that these pets can participate in that through," he said.
Carrick brought his two dogs Jazzy and Luna to the service.
