Sunday October 4th will be is a Blessing of the Animals where you are invited to bring along your pet (or picture of your pet) to celebrate the love and beauty made known in the wider animal kingdom. As this is a new experience for us at TUC, we want to offer some things to consider as we prepare for the anticipated joyful chaos. It will be held, as usual, in chapel. In order for this to work well:

• There will be water bowls for drinking and paper towels for accidents available. Please bring along bags to collect any ‘offerings’ your companion wishes to leave. Each owner is expected to clean up any accidents thoroughly.
• Be mindful of the comfort of others and keep your pet leashed or caged at all times. You might trust your animal completely, but no-one can predict their interaction with other animals and some human participants find unsecured animals discomforting.
• Please manage the behaviour of your pets in recognition that people have different comfort levels, and some younger, smaller people will be unable to avoid unwanted face-licks. ie Do not allow your pet to jump up on people to greet them or encourage other’s pets to do so to you. Please be mindful of the potential for long leads to tangle and trip others and keep your pet on a tight lead and under control, particularly in crowded spaces.
• Pets that display threatening or aggressive behaviour will have to be asked to leave.
• Please remember that each animal’s owner may have different expectations of their pet and may be amidst training certain behaviours or practices. Please confirm with each owner first if/how you might greet an animal.
• Pets must be accompanied and supervised by their owner at all times.
• If your pet needs some time away from the larger gathering, the playground will be made available. This space is fenced off. However, all pets must be supervised at all times by their owner. This is not an off-leash run or play area and all mess must be picked up and cleaned up
• Bring along a bed or mat for your pet to stay on.
• We will share communion together. Consider bringing a treat for your pet.
• If you wish to recall and celebrate a loved companion who is no longer with you, you are encouraged to bring a photo.
• You may wish to arrive a little early to give your pet the chance to relax into the space and occasion.
• Please be extra cautious in the car park as we arrive and depart with pets in our care, and extra mindful as we open and close external doors in the building to avoid any accidental escapes.

We anticipate the service will be be slightly shorter and run closer to an hour (but if your friend needs time away please feel free to take it) so please take that into account when planning for your pet’s attendance.
If you have any questions of concerns please speak with Matt or Carrie.