"All animals are welcome whatever their religion."

Reverend Christopher T. Connell, All Saints Church

If you love beautiful animals, great people and smiling children, please make sure to come to this year's annual Blessing of the Animals, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Great Neck on Sunday, April 22. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. There will be a children's petting zoo beginning at 9:30 a.m. Bring your kids, pets and cameras!

When you leave this popular event, walking back to your car, you can bet that you will be thinking about next year's event. It is really pure joy, total fun and at the same time a moment to appreciate all of our furry, scaly, hoofed (yes hoofed) and feathered friends. You will not forget it! Even though the animals are in the spotlight, this blessing brings some really fine people together.

Reverend Christopher Connell, of All Saints, will bless each and every animal individually. That alone is worth the trip. His thoughts are always inspiring, his blessings heartfelt.

This year's guest speaker will be world famous Philip Gonzales and his dog "Ginny," the dog who rescues cats. If you haven't seen Philip and Ginny on television, you may have read about them in a magazine article or in one of Philip's books. Their life and work together is really something to hear about. Ginny's message to all is: "Take care of all animals and be kind. Feed a stray animal when you see one for they are all God's children."

The honor of "Vet of the Year," will be given to Dr. Laura Gay Senk of The County Line Veterinary Clinic in Farmingdale. This is always a difficult choice, as there are several area veterinarians who devote much of their life to the aid of needy animals. Dr. Senk's work and unselfish devotion, especially to feral cats and their humane care and treatment, makes her this year's shining star. Keep up the good work, Dr. Senk. Our world needs more people like you.

Proceeds of the service will benefit Double D Bar Ranch of Manorville, a nonprofit haven for previously abused or unwanted farm animals. There are more than 700 animals at the ranch that is maintained by Rich and Gay Devo. Let's try to help the Devos continue to do their good work.

From this year's hymn: "All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, God made them all." A nice thought to keep with us.

See you at the blessing. Peace.

For further information call 482-5392.