Mostly dogs at Crystal Lake pet blessing

Lucky, a Lhasa apso, and Chester, a Tibetan terrier, received a blessing Sunday — their annual cleansing.

Their owners, Luisa and Sergio Lopez of Woodstock, said they bring their dogs to the Assisi Animal Foundation's pet blessing every October as a way to thank God the dogs are healthy and happy and ask for the safety of their pets.

“It's a nice little thing for the animals,” Sergio Lopez said.

Lee Linklater is a founder and director of the Assisi Animal Foundation, named for the patron saint of animals. The annual blessing is held in conjunction with the anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's birth.

Linklater said the 22nd annual blessing was a chance to show animals the respect they deserve.

Rev. Warren Best, of Chicago, officiated the ceremony and blessed the approximately 20 dogs and one cat that showed up with their owners. In past years, Best has blessed all types of animals, including llamas, horses, birds and snakes.

The ceremony took place outside on the McHenry County College campus in Crystal Lake. It featured opening and closing prayers, with individual animal blessings in between.

“The animals are God's creatures and we must treat them with love and respect,” Best said.

The Assisi Animal Foundation was McHenry County's first no-kill, cageless animal shelter, according to its website. Linklater said the foundation also offers animal assisted therapy for seniors and people with developmental disabilities as well as pet education programs for kids. For more information about the nonprofit, visit assisi.org or call (815) 455-9411.