Parker – Mr. Tuff is no fatted calf – he is a miniature Hereford bull who showed up for Sunday afternoon services at Parker United Methodist Church.
Decked out in gold nose ring and weighing in at a relatively dainty 1,050 pounds, “Tuffy,” unaware of historical religious sacrifices at altars, was docile. So were the hedgehog, dozens of dogs and a handful of cats, rabbits and other beloved pets attending an outdoor “Blessing of the Animals” in St. Francis’ name.
Countless celebrations of St. Francis of Assisi’s compassion for all creatures, from “Brother Wolf” to the dove, are held by Christians worldwide, usually in September and October.
“Maybe Tuffy will do better in his shows if he gets blessed. It can’t hurt,” said owner Ed Stafford, who ranches east of Kiowa.
The furry and feathered congregants, great and small, appeared curious about one another but behaved cordially. Peace reigned.
“We really didn’t know what to expect,” said the Rev. Teri Todd as she stroked the side of Lily, her 3-year-old Australian shepherd. “This was our first time.”
Even the Rhode Island red chicken, Cornelius, looked relaxed, if not reverent, in the arms of his 14-year-old human, Andrew Hopkins.
“I brought him to be baptized,” Andrew said.
He meant blessed.
“If you have a dog or a cat, and you’ve looked in their eyes, I don’t know how you can think they don’t have souls,” Todd said before the service.
She is aware most theologians would disagree with her.
“I’m willing to stand on that and be wrong if I have to,” she said.
Nancy Banisch of Parker said that Buzzy, her golden retriever, is the best- behaved of her “three children.” Her other two are human.
“We’re members here, and this was Buzzy’s chance to be part of the church,” Banisch said.
Sandy Barker brought Laura, a 5- month-old black Labrador retriever service puppy in training. Laura has great responsibilities ahead of her as part of Canine Companions for Independence.
“We want to do everything we can for her to be successful in her service,” Barker said.
Caleb Robinson, 12, brought Shadow, a hedgehog, and Dwight, a Chihuahua, to church, he said, because animals make things fun.
“We love our pets,” Caleb said. “They’re part of the family.”
Sarah Culhane, 12, cuddled Pepper, her geriatric black rabbit.
“These rabbits live to be 7. He’s 6½ years old,” Sarah said. “That’s why we’re here. He’s been a good rabbit.”
Staff writer Electa Draper can be reached at 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com.
