Photos: Pet owners brave the cold for blessings in Greenport
![Rev. Garret Johnson greets five-year-old Emma. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_01.jpg)
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Greenport held its annual Blessing of the Animals Saturday afternoon just as the rain began to fall.
About a half dozen dogs with their owners braved the chill and wind to receive the blessing, which is done to honor St. Francis of Assisi’s love for animals.
After reading a special prayer, Rev. Garret Johnson blessed each animal individually.
Scroll down to see more photos, taken by photographer Katharine Schroeder:
![Charlie, a 12-year-old dog from Greenport, waits for the ceremony to begin.](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_02.jpg)
![Emma is apparently more interested in belly rubs than blessings.](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_03.jpg)
![Rev. Johnson begins the blessing.](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_04.jpg)
![Ten-year-old Astro](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_05.jpg)
![Taki, a six-year-old rescue watches the blessing.](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_06.jpg)
![Willie watches the proceedings, seemingly suspicious.](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_07.jpg)
![Rev. Johnson blesses Emma.](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_08.jpg)
![Rev. Johnson blesses Taki](https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/Blessing_GPT_ss_09.jpg)