by Dennis Augustine
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
— Anatole France
Several years ago, Reverend Channing Smith invited me to the Blessing of the Animals service at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga. I went with Jason’s dog, Daisy, a sweet Chihuahua–Italian Greyhound mix, who later appeared in the Los Gatos Times Weekly and Saratoga News.
Outside the church, I ran into former mayor Ann Waltonsmith and her husband Rick, who brought their gentle donkeys, Betsy and Ike, along with Adrienne Jacques, founder of Kitten Cattitude Rescue. It was amazing how peaceful Daisy was among all the animals — a joyful gathering that honors St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals.
This week, Pope Leo XIV was gifted a magnificent white Arabian horse named Proton by a Polish breeder who said he wanted a horse “worthy of the Pope” — white to match his cassock. The horse’s lineage even traces to Jordanian royalty and the United States.
And in Brazil, Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes continues his inspiring mission of rescuing and rehoming abandoned dogs. During Sunday Mass, he often brings a rescue dog to the altar — giving each one a moment of grace and a chance to find a loving home. His story was featured in Netflix’s Dogs episode, “The Protectors.”
Three stories, one spirit — compassion in action and love that embraces every living creature.May we all live with hearts as open as theirs.
