FORT SILL, Okla. Oct. 15, 2015 -- Maya was so excited it was hard for her to sit down. The weather was warm, the sun was shining and she was outside. Despite her excitement somehow she contained herself and sat down, besides, it was what her human asked her to do.
Maya and her human, Victoria Stawik-Raven, who is also the Catholic parish coordinator, were at the Frontier Chapel for the Blessing of the Pets conducted by Chaplain (Maj.) Jim O'Neil, Oct. 7.
"The Blessing of the Pets is an annual event honoring St. Francis," said O'Neil. "He is the patron saint of animals. He talked with them and they would come and visit him, that is to say, he had a way with animals."
Maya, a boxer, found her home with Stawik-Raven after her previous owner couldn't handle her high levels of energy. She was 7 months old when she moved in with her new family which came with two boys ages 8 and 11. Stawik-Raven said after three years Maya was part of her family now and she brought Maya to the chapel to be blessed.
"You never know how the Holy Spirit might work," she said. "It might help protect [the pets]."
Maya wasn't the only furry friend at the blessing. She was joined by, Sam, and 8-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Oscar, a very energetic 6-month Labrador and Blue Healer mix, and two Maltese, Lily, 6, and Nugget, 5, who came dressed to impress with Lily wearing pink in her hair and Nugget wearing blue.
After a short prayer, O'Neil sprinkled holy water on each of the animals, which, for the most part, was accepted without complaint from the pets. O'Neil said he has two cats himself and that animal companionship can be especially important to those who don't have families at home waiting for them.
"Got blessed us with these creatures to tame them and take care of them," said O'Neil. "The blessing today is to acknowledge what God has given to us."
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