Blessing of the animals draws crowd at First Methodist

First Methodist Church in downtown Minden hosted its annual Blessing of the Animals event Sunday afternoon, welcoming a crowd of pet owners and their furry companions.

The courtyard was filled with dogs of all sizes and even a few cats as attendees gathered to pray, sing, and celebrate the bond between people and their pets. Each animal received a special blessing, along with treats and free tennis balls to take home as toys.

Participants also enjoyed light refreshments and fellowship during the event, which highlighted the church’s appreciation for “all of God’s creatures, great and small.”

In addition to the blessings, organizers collected used tennis balls to be recycled into mulch and tennis courts.