IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ANIMALS... the "Blessing of the Animals" to be exact!
WHAT: The 45th Annual "Interfaith" Blessing of the Animals at the Hammond Museum. Join some of our members and their Shilohs (and other animals) at this wonderful event. Plans are to arrive early, around 2pm, and to walk the garden grounds, socialize our dogs, introduce them to the public and take pictures—they don't call it a "Stroll Garden" for no reason. The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden are situated on a beautiful hilltop with wonderful views with breath-taking grounds.
For the ceremony, participants will follow bagpiper Kevin O'Hagen (and won't the Shilohs LOVE that ... do we hear howling? already!?!) as he leads the procession into the garden for a blessing by Native American Indian Wendell Deer with Horns of the Lakota Sioux, Rabbi Jason Nevarez of Temple Shaaray Tefila of Mt. Kisco, Father Jude of St. Josephs Church inCroton Falls, Zen Priest Jane Dai-on Shuman of Purchase; and Interfaith Minister Reverend Janice Arlene Rost from Pleasantville.
After the ceremony, there is a meet & greet, and you may receive individual blessings if requested.
Cats, dogs, birds, fish, turtles, etc. are welcome. Please have pets on a leash (or in a crate for some types of animals) and please be courteous and remember to pick up after your Shilohs. You may also want to bring chairs, refreshments, snacks and definitely water for your animals.
WHEN:
Sunday May 2nd
Procession/Ceremony begins at 3:00 pm
(some of us are planning to arrive early, around 2pm)
The event is rain or shine but the museum will provide a large tent for the ceremony should the weather not cooperate.
WHERE:
Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden
28 Deveau Road
North Salem, NY
(Westchester County, NY, 30 miles NE of White Plains, 15 miles SW of Danbury, CT)
Museum website: http://www.hammondmuseum.org
WHY:
Although not an event put on or sponsored by the ISSDC, some of our members are attending the event and thought it would be a great opportunity for breed education and awareness as well as a wonderful social function. Hopefully we can get a nice turnout of "local" Shilohs to not only be "blessed" but to meet the public! Of course, all Shilohs are welcome to join in on the fun local or not!
We already know how blessed we are to have these magnificent dogs in our life, now is your chance to have them "blessed" as well and have a dog gone good time doing it!
Our own Monica Popaduke has attended this event in the past, and will be attending this year as well, so please feel to contact her directly if you have further questions.
HOW MUCH:
There is no admission fee for this event, but if you attend and enjoy it we suggest making a modest donation to the museum in appreciation.
Photos below from a previous Blessings of the Animals and the grounds of the Hammond Museum: (left to right) the museum, Bailey and Kodiak of Kindred Spirit Shilohs at last years event and another shot of the Japanese Gardens at Hammond Museum.
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