“Paws and Pray” was recently inaugurated at Christ Church Beaurepaire to coincide with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
It may boost the city’s ranking as a welcoming destination for pet owners.
Len Kain, co-founder of dogfriendly.com, which publishes dog travel guides, says Montreal is a go-to spot for sightseers with furry sidekicks.
“We like Montreal,” he said. “Of all cities it has good places to bring your dog. I would put it in the top quarter.”
Montreal still has a ways to go before surpassing Paris in pet-friendliness. In the French capital, no one bats an eye if people bring in their “petit chien” into a cafe or department store.
But Montreal has pushed its little paws a bit closer.
It was Johanne Tasse, an animal welfare activist, who first broached the idea with the minister at Christ Church Beaurepaire.
The president of the Companion Animal Adoption Centre hopes the Anglican service will spark a debate on the role of animals in Canadian families and society.
“It’s a discussion we need to have in society,” she said.
The pilot project will continue once a month for four months but Tasse says the inaugural event went off without a hitch.
“It was moving, I got very emotional,” Tasse said, adding that sometimes, however, dogs will be dogs.
“I have to admit it was a bit of a zoo. There was a lot of barking.”
Holy communion was offered to all human parishioners, and canines weren’t left out. They were treated to a selection of freshly baked dog biscuits — including peanut butter and garlic — and bowls of water.
Many Anglican churches bless animals once a year but the minister at Christ Church, Michael Johnson, concedes a regular service is more unusual.
He jumped at the idea when Tasse approached him.
“My initial thought? ‘This is great,”’ he said. “Then my second thought was: ‘I better ask the bishop.”’
Unlike annual pet blessings, which are open to all God’s creatures, he decided to limit the service to dogs.
“If you can imagine predator and prey in the same room — prey, that’s R-E-Y — we thought: ‘Let’s just make it simple.”’
As to whether all dogs go to heaven, Johnson is unequivocal.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Without a doubt.”
The service celebrated the special bond of companionship between dog and people and was attended by some 50 worshippers and 30 canines.
Kain says it’s unlikely that dogs would misbehave during a church service but admits they may not pay much attention to the sermon.
“They’ll probably be sniffing the other dogs,” he said.
Kain says he’s looking forward to the day when dogs will be allowed in all houses of worship — even in tourist attractions like cathedrals and basilicas.
“But I think even France doesn’t allow that,” he said.
———
If you go ...
Paws and Pray takes place on the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. at Christ Church Beaurepaire, 455 Church St., Beaconsfield. The next service will be Nov. 1.
For more information, call: 514-697-2204
Dogs are often also welcome on walking tours in Montreal, including those run by Fantomes Montreal Ghosts, who have a special Halloween edition from Oct. 29 to 31. For more information visit www.fantommontreal.com.
Many Montreal hotels allow dogs but Kain suggests owners call in advance to verify pet policy.
Saguenay boys win 3rd Alternative Energy RallyWoolly fest won’t fleece you
