Pets were given a big vote of thanks at the Ely Cathedral pet service which saw people travel from as far as Letchworth to enjoy the service which celebrates the animals in our lives.
The popular service, which has been going for around 30 years, celebrated working dogs and included talks from Pets As Therapy volunteer Christine Jones, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment LCPL Arran Manton and an officer from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Police dog unit.
Canon Vicky Johnson, whose dog Percy joined her for the service, said whether they work for us or live in our homes as companions our pets bring valuable wisdom and lessons for us all in life.
She said: “If I’m doing something worrying I often look at Percy and he helps me through. With him around I can’t be nervous or scared for very long.
“Animals somehow in some way make us better human beings.”
“Author Michael Morpurgo very wisely wrote that the further we move away from animals the more sad we become.”
Joining the service were dogs, cats, a hedgehog, guinea pigs and donkeys along with their owners who had travelled from across the region to enjoy the celebratory event.
Money raised in the collection was donated to Wood Green Animal Shelter, the K9 Project, Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Donkey Sanctuary.
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