This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Poor little Saphirra. She could've used some extra prayers. But the chill at the outdoor service was biting, the sky ominous, and, frankly, the dwarf hamster had already been through enough and didn't need the cold.
Not too long ago, Spike, a lemon beagle, swallowed Saphirra whole. The dog then spat up the small critter, again whole, and Leah Anderson of Midvale took charge, doing something she'll never forget.
Her palm open, demonstrating how she gingerly poked at Saphirra's matted and wet chest, she said, "I gave it CPR for one hour, and it survived. Honest to God."
As she and a captive listener laughed, Spike stood by, tail wagging.
The playful pooch had every reason to be content. Like the other pets who had been taken Saturday morning to a small park on 3300 South, Spike had just received pastoral blessings and, you might say, been absolved of his sins.
About two dozen furry friends (all dogs, with the exception of one ferret), and their owners, came out for Christ United Methodist Church's annual animal blessing, something the church has done since 2001. The Rev. Steve Goodier said he has prayed for everything from cats and dogs to rabbits, iguanas and gerbils.
"Whatever people love, we get," he said.
The short service, which was open to everyone, included a reciting from Genesis, responsive reading and a prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Amid the liturgy, of course, were rounds of butt sniffs.
Among those standing by were Holladay's Twinkle Chisholm and her black Labrador, Fisher, who is having a lump removed from her back later this week.
Christie Swenson of Canyon Rim brought Sophie, a large Burmese mountain-dog mix, who had been adopted after years of mistreatment. Sophie, her owner said, was due blessings.
"She deserves it. She needs it," Swenson said. "She's kind of a psycho chick."
Special guest, Henry, yapped and lunged at other canine congregants. The black Chihuahua mix is the poster dog for efforts to make animal cruelty a felony in Utah. In May 2006, Henry lost an eye after being chased with a leaf blower. Several weeks later, Henry was placed in a 200-degree oven for five minutes, leaving the dog permanently scarred.
The Rev. Tom Towns reached out to a small puppy, unjaded in its youth.
"Micah, may the Lord bless you and keep you," Towns said, as the 2-month-old Rottweiler struggled to lick the pastor's hand. "Peace to you and peace to the family you're friends with."
Each pet was given a special Certificate of Blessing, as well as a goodie bag, courtesy of The Dog's Meow of Salt Lake City and Draper. The annual event, which also serves as a fundraiser, collected donations for the Humane Society of Utah and Heifer International, a nonprofit that donates farm animals to impoverished families.
The pastor, Goodier, wouldn't say whether animals have souls. But looking out at those who surrounded him, he said most animal lovers believe, "Whatever happens after this life, it's going to be incomplete without their pet friends."
Hamsters included.