Detroit, USA - Chilly temperatures and sporadic rain could not chase away a few hardy souls who brought their pets to be blessed at Our Lady Queen of Angels.
About a dozen people brought eight dogs, a cat, a goldfish and two guinea pigs for a blessing from the Rev. Alberto Sescon at the church on Martin near Michigan Avenue.
"A giant fish saved Jonah," Sescon said in his blessing. "We are here to invoke a divine blessing on these animals."
The 15-minute ceremony occurred at the church's outdoor courtyard, which was fortunate because several of the dogs couldn't wait for a bathroom break.
"It is nice that they do this," said Cheryl Broda, 50, of Detroit who brought two dogs. "Animals need to be blessed and recognized. I try to come every year."
Angela Slusareczyk, a 14-year-old Detroiter, missed the blessing ceremony the past two years because of oversleeping. On Saturday, she was late but got blessings for her guinea pig, Angel, and her brother's guinea pig, Peanut.
"I feel pretty good," she said after the ceremony while holding a box with the pigs in it. "I have been waiting two years to get them blessed."