Sabrikah Bunner

Jani and Tarka Hamilton
Photos: Susan Mann

ST JOHN, USVI: There is no shortage of animal lovers among the "Continentals", the term for former mainland residents, or for part time residents back on-island for the winter months on St John in the US Virgin Islands.
 
About a dozen turned out early Saturday morning to participate in the tradition of having their animals "blessed" at a brief religious service conducted by a Catholic church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Cruz Bay.
 
While not all were Catholic, or even churchgoers, the unique outdoor opportunity was some thing they wanted to be a part of.
 
Father Charles Crespo, a local community activist who leads the church, started out by asking to hear about funny stories concerning pets. The most humorous was one about a dog who ate a bag of coffee beans, and the resulting behaviour.
 
There were short readings, etc, and then each dog, along with three stuffed animals, belonging to a school aged boy, were "blessed."
 
The fact that no cats were in attendance was noticed by pet owners, and presumably the dogs as well. The crowd, however, seemed satisfied by the whole undertaking.
 
The custom of of "Blessing of the Animals" is held in remembrance of St Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. It is conducted on the "feast day" of October 4, but the community oriented service was held over the weekend so more residents would be able to attend.
 
USVI police on St John have recently decided to crack down on unrestrained dogs riding in their owners' cars. They have pointed out that the canines "might jump out of vehicles and cause accidents", and have begun the practice of stopping vehicles with dogs on board, and issuing verbal warnings.
 
The police department has also indicated that any dog in a moving vehicle should be in a pet carrier, despite that fact that this is not a legal mandate in the USVI. Letters to a local newspaper indicate this has not been a popular legal intervention with island residents.
 
Both on-island adults and children commonly ride unrestrained in the back of jeeps and trucks, in direct violation of  USVI seat belt laws for humans.