Cinnamon at the Blessing of the Animals in Portland's Grotto

Yesterday was a very special day. I was lazing around the backyard when my owner came to the door calling my name. I didn't come at first because, well, I was busy being lazy. But when I looked up and saw that she had my flower lei in her hand, I knew something was up.

Here I am lazing around the backyard with Francesca

I got all dressed up and got in the car. We headed across the bridge to Portland. We parked at a beautiful wooded place and I looked outside. There were dogs walking everywhere. They seemed to be headed somewhere. Was it a concert? Was it a dog show? I had no idea.

But when we got out I saw a sign: The Grotto of the Sorrowful Mother.  I got really excited. Ever since Pope Francis was reported as saying that DOGS GO TO HEAVEN, I have been a good Catholic dog. But I never was allowed to go to church. That made me sad. But today things were different.

I was welcomed in to this beautiful place of peace and serenity. I noticed right away that Francesca wasn't going. She wouldn't know how to behave in a place of peace and serenity!

More and more dogs came. I saw a little puppy in a man's arms. We walked to the beautiful grotto in the rocks and noticed all the dog bowls that were placed there. They all had water in them. (I checked).

Here is the shrine.
Someday when it's not so crowded I want to go say a prayer
and light a candle for all the dogs who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

A nice man gave us a program and petted me. We sat down in front on a green bench. Soon my friends Elaine and Julie showed up with Winny, the Italian Greyhound. Winny was a little scared but I wasn't. I was proud to be there all dressed up. I had my picture taken near the altar.

Here I am practicing how to stand when
it is my turn to see the priest and receive a blessing.

While we were sitting on the bench, a man in brown robes came by and stopped to talk to me and pet me. I was thrilled... I love attention!

They really love animals at The Grotto

So then the music started and we paid attention to the songs and to the leader. We all prayed:
"Oh God, you love us so much that you give life to us and to all creatures. We thank you for the gift of the animals we care most about, our pets." All the songs and prayers thanked God for us. It made me feel very important! I loved the song, All Things Bright and Beautiful. "All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all!"

Here I am listening to the music

During the songs, the Basset Hound near me started singing too. I decided to keep my mouth shut and behave myself so I would be invited back!

So after the final prayer, it was time to be brought forward for the blessing. Winny got in line first and then I went. I was very careful not to snap at the dogs around me, no matter how annoying they might be. I was on my best behavior.

When it was finally my turn, the priest reached his hand out toward me but then he surprised me by sprinkling water on my head with a cedar branch. I wasn't expecting that! I regained my composure and walked on, though.

Elaine filmed the whole ceremony and here it is so you can see how well-behaved I was!

Love and Blessings, Cinnamon

Cinnamon's Fitness Plan for 2015

Did you know that January is Get Fit With Your Pet Month?

I started off the New Year right. I walked a 5K event on New Year's Eve Day. And, I took a long walk with my neighbor and it was probably 5K. So I am off to a good start.

I am hoping to walk every day, whether it's at the Dog Park or on a trail. Chasing squirrels in the back yard just isn't quite enough exercise! So adding daily walking is my plan for 2015.

So the walk I took on New Year's Eve Day was a really good one. It was hosted by the Vancouver Volkssporters Club right here in Vancouver. It started at the local McMenamin's (I wasn't allowed inside) and took me through the Pacific Community Park. That's where one of the dog parks is located. We didn't do the dog park because we were on a marked 5K trail.

Here I am on the walk route which leads to the church

At one point the trail routed us through a neighborhood and up to a huge Catholic Church. I paid my respects to St. Francis, Patron Saint of Animals and felt grateful that Pope Francis cares about us animals and suggested that we will go to heaven too!

Here I am paying my respects to St. Francis

So as you can see, volkswalks are much more than a walk in the park. You get to see things too! And even say a few prayers for a happy and healthy new year!

Love, Cinnamon