May 25th, 2014 - Blessing of Animals by Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M (excerpted) :
As autumn arrives, people in various places may notice something odd.
A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets.

This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.
Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.

Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for St. Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat!

For single householders, a pet can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return. Many a senior has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature.

The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love.

No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing.

May 21st, 2014 - Prayer to St Francis For Animals; Our Pets :
Good St. Francis, you loved all of God's creatures.
To you they were your brothers and sisters.
Help us to follow your example: of treating every living thing with kindness.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals, watch over our pets and keep our companions safe and healthy.
Amen.

Saint Frances Patron of Animals so loved the animals we remember him as a friend and protector to them. 
Legends give us idyllic pictures of how beasts and birds were susceptible to the charm of St. Francis' gentle ways, how they entered companion with him and often felt protected by him.

 It is said birds listened so reverently to his sermon along the road near Italy’s town of
Bevagna, that Francis chided himself for not having thought to preach to them before.

He also found great delight and solace in simple things such as the rising sun or flowers, all aspects of nature.

January 29th, 2014 - Animal Auras Favorite Quote: "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France.

January 24th, 2014 - Animal Auras Favorite Hymn: All Things Bright and Beautiful Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all.

1. Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, God made their glowing colors, and made their tiny wings. (Refrain)

2. The purple-headed mountains, the river running by, the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky. (Refrain)

3. The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden: God made them every one. (Refrain)

4. God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell how great is God Almighty, who has made all things well. (Refrain)

Written by: Cecil Frances Alexander Music: 17th cent. English melody; arranged by Martin Shaw Tune: ROYAL OAK, Meter: 76.76 with Refrain

January 12th, 2014 - Hello! My name is Kate Bridge.   I came into this world with a healthy obsession for animals and nature. I spent the first nine years of my life dreaming of, writing about or drawing pictures of; animals, trees and horses, horses, horses! When I reached the age of nine, my wise parents felt I was ready to be a responsible dog-owner. My dreams came true when seven week-old “Mela” arrived. From then on, all significant moments in our family had a large yellow Labrador retriever in them! I learned then and never forgot what a privilege it is to be up-close and personal with an animal.

As for my credentials, I offer simply a life full of animals and many adventures with them. Working at a riding school for every possible evening and weekend was to me, as a teenager, absolute bliss!  I was in the dog obedience and agility world in my twenties; learning to train dogs and mostly being trained by dogs! Stewarding at trials using my “About Turn” voice and enjoying the English countryside with “Gemini”, a Welsh/Arab pony and two amazing border collies.  Next, a rural community in southern California was home, where I owned and operated an animal-care, feeding and grooming service for several years. I kept and met a lot of pets and livestock and witnessed many diverse methods of animal-care. Later, I was involved with rescuing unwanted horses. We provided recovery treatment and rehabilitation, then assessment for relocation to loving homes. More recently, I helped a local animal rescue with dog and puppy care, although my attempt at fostering stray puppies was rather short-lived, as I quickly succumbed to their charms and became their forever home!

Having lived in many places and set-ups, every time I moved I had animals at my side. I traveled by road and by air, making two crossings between USA and UK on 747 cargo planes, flying as groom so I could attend my horses, dogs and a cat during the flights. It was not a once but twice in a lifetime experience.  Fortunately, both times, the animals traveled, recovered and adapted very well to their new environments, but not without many angels along the way; wonderful vets, patient pilots, a very caring shipping agent and the gentle support of natural feed supplements and herbs.

There is nothing on earth quite like the touch of a warm muzzle or the sight of a happy dog gambling towards you with ears and tongue flying. Just observing a pet sleeping or watching livestock eat is simply good stuff for the soul.

Nowadays, I am settled in California where I live, work and play with my animal family. It is our "Cozy Haven of Peace & Love"  - no more flying about the globe... at least not for the animals. I think the two horses, two dogs, two cats and one fish are very glad to be home.