Every year in many parts of the world, there is an event called The Blessing of the Animals, held during the first week in October, to coincide with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Animals of all kinds are brought to local churches to be blessed, in honour of St. Francis, who loved all living things, and was very kind to animals.

In this painting our family pets, Jessie, Louva, and Shaye, appear as "the blessed ones". The setting is a local park where we love to go for walks. There are many squirrels there, and our dogs are fascinated with them, so I couldn't resist painting two of them sitting in the tree behind the black dog, Jessie. Many different photos were used as a guide in this painting. For Jessie, I used an actual photo of her taken at the park one afternoon, as her eyes scanned the trees looking for a squirrel, completely lost in the joy of the moment, as only a dog can be.

Many times in my life, the companionship of a dog has been a blessing to me. On quiet walks, when I didn't feel like talking. On bright and sunny days, when I needed someone to laugh with. On dark, star-filled nights, when I gazed at the inky sky. During sad times, when words were no comfort at all, my hand would fall to a dog's soft coat and I would simply stroke the hair. During all these times, a friend was near, offering kindness and companionship. Offering to me, a glimpse of all that heaven can be.

In loving memory of Jessie, 1986-1996

S.Moar