IN PICTURES: Animal-lovers gather to get their pets blessed at Louth church

People gathered with their ponies, dogs, lizards and array of other animals for the Pet Blessing Service at at St Mary’s Church, Ballymascanlan on Sunday.

The service, which was led by Rev Shirley Murphy and hosted by the Dundalk Group of Parishes, was a lovely community occasion, welcoming a wide variety of pets and their owners.

As part of the service, each pet and owner received a blessing, with prayers of thanksgiving offered for the companionship, comfort and joy that animals bring to our lives.

“It was a joyful and memorable afternoon”, a spokesperson said.