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Augustana Campus Pastor Rev. Ann Rosendale ‘04 describes the annual pet blessing in the Chapel of Reconciliation as a “can’t miss event” that is a “literal zoo.”

“The pet blessing is always a joyous day in the chapel. There are so many smiles and laughter as faculty and staff corral their enthusiastic dogs and comfort nervous cats,” Rosendale said. “Students love the pet blessing because it reminds them of their own pets that they miss back home.”

Held in early October every year, many faith communities bless their pets and other animals around the feast day of St. Francis.

“St. Francis of Assissi was the patron saint of animals (and the environment). He was always finding the sacred in animals and plants, and helped us grow our awe of God’s whole creation,” said Rosendale. “We try to convey a message of welcome for all God’s creatures and thanksgiving for the wild creativity of God to imagine and give life to all of these unique animals.”

At Augustana, the tradition of the pet blessing goes back at least three decades. The Augustana Mirror wrote about the third annual pet blessing in 1995 with a headline that read, “Animals ‘flock’ to pet blessing.” In October 2009, the Mirror published a picture of Susan Bies, then director of Student Academic Support Services, with her horses outside the chapel.

Rosendale recalled attending a pet blessing as a student when Rev. Paul Rohde was the campus pastor — she brought her betta fish to be blessed. Rosendale has also preached about her dog, Easter, and how Easter taught her what is most essential in life.

“It’s no accident that ‘dog’ is ‘God’ spelled backward. I don’t know of another creature (including humans) who embodies loyalty and faithfulness like a dog. We tend to take the world so seriously until we get on the floor and play with our cat or throw a ball in the park with our dog,” said Rosendale. “Animals call us back to basics. They also call us into a more expansive imagination about who God is and what God is up to in the world.”

Over the years, Augustana Chief of Staff Pamela Miller ‘94 has had three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels — Rudy, Wrigley and Shadow — all of which “have been blessed to attend the pet blessing.”

“My dogs are everything to me. They bring me joy and comfort and constant love and affection. They are a part of our lives for a few chapters in life, but to them, we are the entire book. We are all they know for love, compassion and care. We are everything to them, and I believe they deserve the same from us,” said Miller.

Observed on Oct. 7 this year, the pet blessing was another family affair for Miller. She was accompanied by her daughter, son-in-law and their dog, Jameson, as well as Ace the Augie Doggie, of course.

“I think it was fun for him (Ace) to show his furry friends where he goes to work and to share his AU community with other pets,” said Miller.

Those other pets included everything from a giant Newfoundland to a teeny little shrimp, carried into the sanctuary via a makeshift aquarium suited for travel.

“The blessing was a way for me to show people that pets come in all shapes and sizes, and all are worthy of affection!” said Andrew Berntson ‘25, a biology and computer science double major. “I looked forward to the experience in general. I've never gone to a pet blessing before and this being my last year here (at Augustana), who knows if I'd ever get the chance again.”

Although unique, Berntson considers his Neocaridina davidi as pets, and brought one of his many blue velvet shrimp to chapel. Yes, she even has a name: Nova.

“Shortly after moving here freshman year, I learned about sea monkeys, and then about the much freakier-looking Triops ... I kept both in aquariums for a while, and this really fostered an affinity for aquatic arthropods and aquatic invertebrates,” said Berntson, of Waconia, Minnesota, who has since lived in different parts of the world. “As a kid, I had always been obsessed with ‘sea creatures’ and these critters definitely awakened a childlike wonder in me that was great for my mental health.”

At the end of his sophomore year, Berntson bought 10 blue velvet shrimp from a pet store. He now has what he calls a “little army” that has grown to approximately 100 little shrimp — although it's hard to tell because “there are so many.”

“I do truly care about my shrimp. It makes me sad when one dies (they live 1-2 years at most), and I celebrate when I notice a pregnant mother or newly-hatched shrimplets grazing on algae. It's rewarding to take care of living beings, knowing that my actions and care are providing them with the resources they need to not just live, but to thrive and reproduce!” Berntson said.

This year’s pet blessing was an abbreviated service. Both Rosendale and Associate Campus Pastor Rev. Shawna Day had to say “goodbye” to their dogs in late summer. The pet blessing was “bittersweet” for both of them, and they felt it was too hard to preach.

“We were still grateful to bless the animals and, even in grief, were able to experience the joy of the day,” said Rosendale.

Instead, amongst all the licking, sniffing, meowing and barking, Job 12:7-10 was the reading for the day. Rosendale said the reading speaks to how God works through animals:

7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
   or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
8  or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
   or let the fish in the sea inform you.
9  Which of all these does not know
   that the hand of the Lord has done this?
10  In his hand is the life of every creature
      and the breath of all mankind.”

“Blessing our pets just affirms my belief that ‘all dogs go to heaven,’ and I believe those we have lost will be standing at the gate to see me when I get there,” said Miller. “What could be better than that?”