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Lee James Brazos Valley Reporter	Brazos Valley Reporter
Other Articles by the Brazos Valley Reporter	Blessing of the Animals 2007 Brazos Valley Reporter College Station, Texas - October 6, 2007
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		St. Francis Episcopal Church hosted their annual Blessing of the Animals last Saturday. The event celebrated the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi and his love for all creatures. Presiding were the Rev. John Williams and the Rev. Anne Cudd. What a fun and informative event this was for all. Everyone asked me where Austin (my Golden Retriever) was. Well, if you know Austin, then you know why I couldn't take him. He would have thought the entire event was staged just for him and would have been the "social butterfly" wanting to meet...and play with....everyone there! That means the BVR would not have been able to cover the event at all!
	Shown here are Rev. John Williams and the Rev. Anne Cudd who provided abundant blessings and were a pleasure to be with. Reverend Cudd is my former neighbor and along with her husband, Kermit, were such nice neighbors.
	While I was invited to work my way through this, I decided these girls were doing just a great job without me!
	Here's a group that if you don't know about...you should...as they serve such a good purpose. They are called Aggieland Pets With A Purpose. APWAP provides volunteers and evaluated and trained animals for educational, rehabilitative and emotional assistance purposes. Can you imagine how much help these volunteers and their animals are to those who are in need? Picture yourself in a situation like that, perhaps unable to have an animal or keep the animal with you. There are few things more therapeutic than the unconditional love of an animal. Please visit their web site for more information or how to join them in this great cause.
	Here are a couple of very special people who are part of a group that Austin affectionately refers to as "The Ladies." They are with All Pets Medical and Laser Surgical Center, just down the street on Rock Prarie. Austin absolutely adores everyone there and his veterinarian Dr. Agnes Rupley. Austin has had his challenges medically and were it not for them, he would likely no longer be with us. He responds immediately if I say..."The Ladies" and will head for the car because he wants to go see them. His love for them actually got him over a fear of riding in cars that he had when we first moved here. Trips to see "The Ladies" made it all OK!
	The next group I met was CTSARCAM, which stands for Cen-Tex Search and Rescue Canine and Mounted. The group is dedicated to providing trained and certified volunteer personnel, canines, and equines in assisting law enforcement and other entities in searching for and locating missing persons and/or remains of missing persons to alleviate pain and suffering of its fellow human beings. They do not charge for their services. If help is needed, have your local law enforcement agency contact them at 979-739-8535 or 979-821-2351.	CTSARCAM is a 501 c3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. To help defer the costs of training with your donations, please contact them by phone or email txmalexander@yahoo.com or rottieag@hotmail.com.
	That does not feel like a doggie tail!
	This group was the Reptile Hospice and Sanctuary of Texas. Wait till you see what they had!
	Now I have to admit that I am always more than a bit wary of snakes. However, this creature was both beautiful and intriguing...as well as quite large! I saw someone rub his tummy and he seemed to really like that! I was happy just to watch.
	Meet Cal! He is an African Sulcata Tortoise and is about half the size he will be when he's full grown, which will take another 10-15 years. He has a life expectancy of 100 - 125 years.
	This dog is an Akita. He's showing more than a casual interest in the dog passing behind.
	Here's a Great Pyrenees whose name is "Big Boy." These are terrific dogs. Austin and I know this breed well as his favorite buddy is one! He was there with the Great Pyrenees Society, an non-profit all volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing Great Pyrenees from animal control agencies across the state of Texas and fostering them until permanent homes can be found.
	Let me close by including a picture of Austin in hopes that he will be somehow blessed by having his picture here with all these terrific people and animals at St. Francis Episcopal Church. Maybe next year I will leave the camera at home and take Austin! My thanks to all the good people here for having me and providing an informative and enjoyable occasion for all. Blessed are the animals and people who attended.
	- BVR -
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