Frances Millar

To be frank...

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ALL creatures great and small were bestowed with the holy spirit at Salisbury Cathedral’s annual animal blessing.

More than 70 dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, mice and even a tortoise formed an unusual congregation on Saturday.

Horses and donkeys joined in too, receiving their share of the divine through a side door. Though only in its second year, the service is becoming a popular tradition. Only the other day I saw a poster for a pet blessing, a concept that was entirely new to me. But it seems that similar events are springing up everywhere.

With October 4 marking the feast day of renowned animal-loving skinhead St Francis of Assisi, chances are there’s one near you as well.