Blessing of the Animals on 9/11 at Oldest Pet Cemetery
The sky threatened dark and heavy with rain. I wondered about taking an umbrella but I was already late and I didn’t want to miss the blessing of the animals at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery. Established in 1896, this is the oldest and one of the largest pet cemeteries in the U.S. I live nearby and always find a sense of peace when entering the sacred space for beloved pets of all kinds. The hilly grounds with curving foot paths are always exquisitely maintained with seasonal flowers.
Under a tent, a small crowd gathered to have their pets blessed by The Rev. JoAnne Campo, an Episcopalian priest from St. Luke’s Episcopalian Church in Eastchester N.Y. I’ve been to these events in the past but this being the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the air felt heavy with reverence. Pet parents lined up with well-behaved dogs and a few cats in carriers to receive their blessing. Hardly a peep was heard from anyone in the hushed atmosphere. It was as if a blanket of peace enveloped us and held us safe in a heavenly embrace.
Afterward, visitors paid their respects to graves of their loved ones or admired many of the old gravestones dating back to the turn of the century.
Large or small, simple or fancy, all the graves are a sign of the human capacity for compassion. My heavy heart felt lighter when I left, knowing that love and devotion never die. The rain held off and I thanked my blessings, all seven of them waiting at home.
16 Comments
مجله علمي سواران علم
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Queen Bambi, Timmy, Buffy, Sunny Boy, Georgie and Pinky
So lovely. So poignant.
I HAVE CAT
What a beautiful place…..amazing
Milo and Alfie
My beautiful beloved heart cat Henry (Lilac Point Siamese 1985 ~ 2004) was cremated and I still have his urn/box in my study. I could never have left him behind if I moved ~ and I’ve moved since he died. When I eventually die his ashes will be scattered mingled with mine ~ so we can be together for ever. I miss him so much.
Jan
Your Daily Cute
What a beautiful place to have to remember loved pets. And what a nice ceremony that must have been.
Joe
Great pics!
The Rev. JoAnne Campo
I just want to let you know that I am the priest who blessed the animals on Sunday, September 11, 2011. I am an Episcopal priest and not a non-denominational minister.
Thank you.
boomermuse
Reverend, thanks for letting me know. My sources were incorrect and I’ve updated the correct details.
Oui Oui
I lost my Lumpy 9/22/2000. I miss him terribly still. Not having a suitable place to bury him, I took him to my parents where he rests in a beautiful garden surrounded by catnip. He would have appreciated it! I love the idea of blessing the animals. We do it at our church. I think of it as an acknowledgement of their spirituality.
I HAVE CAT
What a wonderful resting place for your sweet Lumpy….
Marg
What a terrific thing to have a cemetery where cats and dogs can be buried with their very own headstone. We used to have a blessing of the hounds for our fox hunt up in Ohio. That was pretty neat. I bet that was really nice to have a blessing of the animals. Great pictures.
Admiral Hestorb
How precious. I wish I could go and I wish my baby Robin could have been buried there. She is here at her home of 16 years though and at the place where she loved best.
CCL Wendy
This is a lovely tribute. The photos are very moving and it’s so well written.
I’ve been looking through your blog, and really appreciate the artistry of your photography.
Ingrid King
Powerful photos – so sad. What a poignant setting to hold a Blessings of the Animal ceremony.
CATachresis
I can sense the peace.
angelina jolie
Wise Cats,
We lost Ralf in September 2005, two months after Mama moved to Sydney. We buried him in my aunt’s backyard. Mama still can’t talk about it. She’ll cry non-stop if she does. purrr….meow!