Holiday Tradition: Blessing of the Animals

Doll your dog up in a bonnet or put your rabbit in a flowery basket, for the Olvera Street event is back.

Today, at some point, you probably cooed some kind words in the direction of the animal who shares your home.

You might have said, "Have a playful day, snookums," as you closed the front door, or sang, "Enjoy your snack, nom nom," as you handed your pet a treat, or purred, "Love you forever, furrybottom," as your bestie curled up next to you on the couch.

Words have power, we often hear, and hearing your soothing words can be a positive in your pet's life. To up that general positivity, and be a part of a holiday tradition where many benevolent words are spoken, best trot for El Pueblo de Los Angeles on Saturday, March 26.

It's the Blessing of the Animals, the long-running Easter Saturday gathering that welcomes humans and the four-footed, long-eared, bouncy-tailed beasties they love best. The Archbishop of Los Angeles will once again deliver the words of benediction, animal by animal as they approach.

The day does include dogs, for sure, but a whole host of other companion creatures are seen, from horses to goldfish to guinea pigs. Some arrive by red wagon (a wagon that's very often dressed in joyful Easter finery) and some come boasting a bonnet or wreath of flowers around their neck.

Like humans, pets, too, can gussy up for a holiday, especially one where a lot of photos are snapped.

The time? It's on from noon to 5 p.m., and "(a)ll pets welcome!" There's a procession, too, through Olvera Street, which further festoons the spirit of the weekend with meaning, come-togetherness, and a flat-out festive tone.

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Where's your Boston Terrier's fancy spring bonnet? Does your chinchilla have a floral basket she can ride in, one that conveys the conviviality of an afternoon in the sunshine among other animals? 

The kind words we say to our pets each day count for a lot, but so does coming together as a community, to celebrate the same.

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