Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, remembering to tip the mailman, the good will to all is upon us.
All includes every Fido and Fluffy. Every creature that barks, meows, chirps or oinks.
Like previous years, Santa time means time for my fifth annual Blessing of the Animals. In 2013, it is being presented by the New York Post.
Today, the first of my many announcements, is my invitation to pet parents: Come — all are welcome. Bring your adored beloved animal family members to be blessed for the season, for the holidays, for the new year.
The event is for everyone big or small. For every pet feathered or furry.
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8., 2 p.m.
WHERE: Christ Church. 520 Park Ave., at 60th Street.
WHAT: The one-hour service includes a procession of farm animals, rescue animals, our own animals, war hero dog Patriot, courtesy of Ray Kelly NYPD dogs with their handlers, police horses (outside because pews are only large enough for paws). All come to the altar for a personal individual Blessing.
WHO: Leading the Blessing is Christ Church’s Senior Minister Stephen Bauman and Central Synagogue’s Senior Rabbi Peter J. Rubinstein. Singing carols is St. Raymond Elementary School’s red-robed children’s choir.
HOW: All doves, bunnies, cats, dogs, whatevers must be accompanied by their owners. All owners must be accompanied by their pets. Seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited. No RSVP required. The Blessing goes on regardless of rain, snow or traffic.
NOTE: The Blessing is free. However, we gratefully accept donations — even in new appropriate toys, which will be given to NYC Animal Care & Control’s shelter pets.
We are staffed by a crate of volunteers for anyone requiring assistance.
Sunday, Dec. 8, this fifth annual Blessing of the Animals is co-sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society and the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Baker Institute for Animal Health.
Best Friends Animal Society, nationwide, 30 years old, opens its first NYC facility in 2014. Their huge nonprofit Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, supported by donations, lovingly cares for thousands of homeless creatures.
Best Friends rescued 6,000 in Hurricane Katrina. Says CEO Gregory Castle: “With no place to call home, daily 9,000 dogs and cats — over 4 million a year — die in US shelters. Best Friends is committed to lead the drive to Save Them All.”
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine is USA’s No. 1, top-ranked, oldest veterinary college. It granted the nation’s first doctor of veterinary degree. Its innovative problem-based programs and worldclass, leading-edge teaching hospital is in Ithaca, NY.
Their affiliated emergency, special referral Animal Health Diagnostic Center is in Stamford, Conn.
The Baker Institute for Animal Health serves through discoveries that afford our pets immediate effect and long-term health.
Millions are helped by its discoveries in animal infectious diseases, distemper, hip dysplasia, vaccines, eye diseases.
Top dogs, the human kind, from both the Mets and the Yankees are also co-sponsors.
The HeavenBlessUs New York Post, established by Alexander Hamilton, owned by Rupert Murdoch, mercifully honored by my presence, is presenting the event.
Despite Chris Brown thinking a lawyer is man’s best friend lately. Not.
Judge Judy, as she’s running after her two shih tzus: “Toss the Prozac, trash the Zoloft, cuddle up with your furry best friend.”
Bill Clinton: “President Harry Truman said: ‘If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.’
“Though he may have been exaggerating, the dogs in my life have been real friends, with qualities people should have: loyalty, affection, persistence and a huge capacity for joy.”
Rosie O’Donnell: “I’ve had the greatest case of ‘Puppy Love’ since Donny Osmond sang that song in 1972.”
But we love cats, parrots, canaries, gerbils, hamsters, parakeets, cockatoos, Mynah birds, chickies, bunnies, itsy turtles, goldfish (preferably not on their own but in a bowl).
Sunday. Dec. 8., 2 p.m.. Christ Church, 60th and Park. The holiday Blessing of the Animals.