All creatures great and small...

Yesterday was the blessing of the animals, a long standing tradition on the last day of August.  Many animals and their human companions gathered to hear the priest's words of benediction and to be liberally showered with holy water. 

The event, which occurred late in the afternoon at the Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Merced was really something with lots of photographers and media.

In this shot you can see the droplets of holy water.  We all got really blessed if the amount is any factor, not quite soaked, but pretty wet.

My fellow blogger spixl showed up early and watched and waited as it all unfolded. 

People arrived with their pets,

many of whom were dressed for the occasion.

This gentleman with his birds was a big hit.

Even turtles and a few fish were there.

Do I look like I need a blessing?

Always fun to see pets and their owners.

In all shapes and sizes,

A whole lotta cute out there
 
A lot,

I was hoping for burros and oxen, but maybe they were somewhere else.  Still, there were some chickens,

happy to be blessed.

We talked about the weird dichotomy in Mexico between humans and pets.  I understand that they could not have Christian names, because they have no souls, but here they were getting blessed.