Sequim Dog Park was a little less full on Sunday morning as some of Sequim’s pets filed into church. 

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. Fifth Ave., hosted its annual pet blessing on Oct. 7, to commemorate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, known for his love for all of God’s creatures. 

Dogs and cats of different breeds and sizes kept their cool lying in pews or in aisles waiting for their chance at reverence. The Rev. Bob Rhoads blessed and anointed 20 dogs and two cats with holy water at the 10 a.m. service and three animals at the 8 a.m. service. 

Roads spoke about man’s relationship with animals and its importance and how humans should care for creation. 

“St. Francis understood possibly better than anyone in his time that the relationship with God and creation is intertwined,” he said. 

Following the blessing, representatives of Peninsula Friends of Animals and Welfare of Animals Guild spoke about the nonprofits’ efforts. The church donated money, pet food and pet items to each group.