All creatures great and small -- mostly small, and mostly dogs -- received a special touch from God on Sunday to commemorate the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

"St. Francis was the patron saint of animals and he loved all animals," Deacon Leigh Earle of St. Mark's Church told the gathering of 20 humans and a dozen pets at the informal ceremony at City Park.

Critics of pets and their humans may complain that people are wasting money, food, care and love they lavish on their furry charges, Earle said.

But pets mean much more than that, she said. "Maybe our pet is our only companion."

At the service, the pets and accompanying humans gathered in a circle.

Earle prayed: "Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen."

She then went to each animal, called it by its name and touched it -- usually a friendly nudge on the head -- and spoke an individual blessing.

Jackie Hotle held her massive 5-year-old male cat Dudlo while Earle asked for God's blessing.

The divine touch seemed to work, Hotle said.

"I had him blessed last year, and it made him a better boy," she said.

Later, Earle said such blessings are more than cute gestures.

"We believe that asking God's blessing on any part of our lives is helpful and beneficial," she said. "It helps us realize our pets are our friends and part of creation."

Reporter Tom Morton can be reached at (307) 266-0592, or at Tom.Morton@casperstartribune.net.