Hey Y’all—both two-legged and four,
It’s been quite some time since I’ve tapped out a message for the Pet Ministry Blog, and for that, I raise a humble paw. The truth is, life at St. Clement’s has kept me busy: protecting the rector from rogue delivery drivers, maintaining order during Zoom calls, and—most recently—standing guard during a thunderstorm that rattled even the windows of heaven.
Let me tell you what happened.
A few nights ago, a storm swept over our home with the usual Floridian flair: thunder that shook the shingles, lightning that danced like cathedral spotlights, and rain that fell with sacramental intensity. It woke both of us—my human and me. But something stirred in me, beyond the noise.
I rose from my spot on the bed—not to hide, but to watch. To place myself between the storm and the person I love most in the world. I moved to the window, lay in my proper bed, and kept vigil. It wasn’t about bravery, not really. It was about presence. Protection. Loyalty. The kind of things you don’t have to think about when your heart knows what to do.
That night, I remembered why this blog matters. Why we gather. Why animals—yes, even the loud, the stubborn, and the spectacularly unhousebroken—are part of God’s creative joy. And why we, too, have something to say about love and blessing.
Which brings me to this:
🐶
Blessing of the Animals – Saturday, October 4, 2025
🕚 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
📍 St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 706 W 113th Avenue, Tampa
Bring your pets. Bring your friends. Bring your stories. Whether you bark, purr, squawk, or slither, there is a place for you here.
There will be blessings (tailored to your temperament), treats (tailored to mine), and plenty of joyful noise. We’ll have adoptions, demonstrations, face painting, food, and fellowship—everything a proper parish celebration should be. All we’re missing… is you.
So yes, my tail is wagging again. The blog is back. And this church dog is ready to serve.
Tail wags and biscuit dreams,
Humphrey 🐾
Church Dog. Storm Sentinel. Guardian of the Rector. Occasionally profound.
