Yesterday's episode of The Colbert Report talked about a dog Passover sedar that was recently held in Chicago, which featured a telling of the story of Exodus, the typical rituals and Kosher dog food!
The guests gathered around the Seder plate, in a circle on the floor, a book of instructions nearby.
Most sat attentively. Some looked around and fidgeted. Some scratched and barked.
It was a Passover Seder for dogs.
Soggy Paws, a dog wash and pet products store in Chicago, is more accustomed to dog birthday parties and singles nights. This was a first, said co-owner Kevin Richardson.
"Paul (co-owner Paul Rathe) was trepidatious about doing this," Richardson said of the service. "Would it offend people? Will people get upset? I called one of my Orthodox friends in D.C. and she thought it was brilliant. As she said, being religious doesn't mean you have to be a stick-in-the-mud.
"Paul was worried till he went to the store to buy yarmulkes, and he saw Spider-Man yarmulkes. Then it was OK."
Yes, the dogs wore yarmulkes. Quit snickering. They also ate kosher dog food.
It was provided by Holly Sher, who owns Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co. in Wheeling, Ill.
"A number of customers of hers wanted to keep kosher with their dogs," Richardson said. "Even a number of customers who were not religious during the year wanted to keep kosher for Passover."
The service itself was less than 20 minutes.
On the Seder plate was an egg, parsley and matzo. Bottles of concord grape juice sat nearby.
The 11 dogs and their owners sat in a circle as Uri Heller, president of Magen David Adom, the Israeli Red Cross, conducted the service. The owners sang and read from the booklets. You can expect only so much from dogs.
When it was time for the feast -- a Seder is, after all, a communal meal -- the three Evanger's dinners that are certified kosher (duck and sweet potatoes, hunk of beef and whole chicken thighs) were served. The dogs made quick work of the meal, and the brief Seder drew to a close.
"I think this is great," Heller said. "This is the first time I've known of any dog food that's kosher for Passover. It's really a mitzvah, a good deed."
Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune
BUT ... before we Christians start snickering behind our hands ...
First of all, I want to make it clear that I love dogs. In fact, one of my most loyal friends was my childhood springer spaniel. I'm also not opposed to the idea of deceased pets being present in the afterlife. I also really like the idea of an annual "Blessing of the Beasts" service.
However, I would never take a pet to church on an ongoing basis ... let alone be foolish enough to believe that pet was benefitting from religious instruction while there.
Take for example Rocco, Jennifer Goodnow's neighbour's dog who is "culturally Jewish but not practicing", but who is "ripe for conversion" due to being "so into" mass that he "just stares at the altar with his jaw open".
I know, I know ... charging for God's free gift of grace?
I'm as outraged as you are!
However, before you declare that you don't need the instructions, take heed of the "example" below ...
... or, better yet, remember that ANIMALS don't understand THEOLOGY.
Monday, April 25, 2005
DOGS PARTICIPATE IN PASSOVER SEDAR
William Hageman
The guests gathered around the Seder plate, in a circle on the floor, a book of instructions nearby.
Most sat attentively. Some looked around and fidgeted. Some scratched and barked.
It was a Passover Seder for dogs.
Soggy Paws, a dog wash and pet products store in Chicago, is more accustomed to dog birthday parties and singles nights. This was a first, said co-owner Kevin Richardson.
"Paul (co-owner Paul Rathe) was trepidatious about doing this," Richardson said of the service. "Would it offend people? Will people get upset? I called one of my Orthodox friends in D.C. and she thought it was brilliant. As she said, being religious doesn't mean you have to be a stick-in-the-mud.
"Paul was worried till he went to the store to buy yarmulkes, and he saw Spider-Man yarmulkes. Then it was OK."
Yes, the dogs wore yarmulkes. Quit snickering. They also ate kosher dog food.
It was provided by Holly Sher, who owns Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co. in Wheeling, Ill.
"A number of customers of hers wanted to keep kosher with their dogs," Richardson said. "Even a number of customers who were not religious during the year wanted to keep kosher for Passover."
The service itself was less than 20 minutes.
On the Seder plate was an egg, parsley and matzo. Bottles of concord grape juice sat nearby.
The 11 dogs and their owners sat in a circle as Uri Heller, president of Magen David Adom, the Israeli Red Cross, conducted the service. The owners sang and read from the booklets. You can expect only so much from dogs.
When it was time for the feast -- a Seder is, after all, a communal meal -- the three Evanger's dinners that are certified kosher (duck and sweet potatoes, hunk of beef and whole chicken thighs) were served. The dogs made quick work of the meal, and the brief Seder drew to a close.
"I think this is great," Heller said. "This is the first time I've known of any dog food that's kosher for Passover. It's really a mitzvah, a good deed."
Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune
BUT ... before we Christians start snickering behind our hands ...
June 17, 2008Unlike the woman who wrote this article, the people mentioned above seem to be serious(ly in need of help).
GOD SPELLED BACKWARD: AN EAST SIDE CHURCH SAYS 'AMEN!' TO CANINE PARISHIONERS
Stephanie Todaro
On any given Sunday at the Church of the Holy Trinity on the Upper East Side, the choir sings a melodic hymn while one congregant chimes in with an enthusiastic jangle of his collar.
He's Music, a golden retriever and regular parishioner. And he's not the only dog in attendance; he's joined by four fellow canines and their human counterparts as they all celebrate in harmony.
Dogs have come a long way - once made to stay outside, they're welcome at some stores, hotels, boutiques. And now, church.
While dogs have traditionally been allowed in churches for the Blessing of the Animals each October, many congregations are now welcoming canines at weekly services.
"It started because a parishioner was sick one weekend and felt like she could either take her dog for a walk or go to church, but not both," says the Rev. Michael Phillips, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity.
"Then she thought, 'Why not combine them?' and she brought her dog to church. It's been happening ever since."
Music's owner Jennifer Goodnow understands how some outsiders might be surprised by the multispecies congregation.
"I met a newcomer once who started going to the 8 o'clock service, and she thought it was a service for the blind because there were so many dogs," says Goodnow.
The majority of dog-toting parishioners claim they bring their pets to church as family members, rather than guests. "We're pretty active in this church," says Pam Synk, a Holy Trinity parishioner for more than 15 years and owner of Goldie, a yellow Lab.
"You start becoming more active when you're pulled in by your children. You try to make it a fun, family place for them, and the dog is part of our family, so we all go together."
What does the nonpet-owning population think about the canine addition? Phillips says that in his three years as rector, he has heard only one complaint, from a parishioner who suffered from allergies to pet dander. Otherwise, the animals have been welcomed with open arms.
"You come to church to have good thoughts, not be cross," says Kit Bradshaw, a 90-year-old dog-free congregant.
There's even potential for pup proselytizing. "Rocco is my neighbor's dog," says Goodnow, pointing to the Boston terrier sprawled in the aisle. "He is culturally Jewish but not practicing. I think he's ripe for conversion because every time I take him, he just stares at the altar with his jaw open. He is so into it."
Rocco's conversion will have to wait for another day, because the Mass has come to an end.
The choir has paraded down the center of the church in a final, thunderous song. The altar boys followed behind, and as the clergy came to the end of the aisle, each reached down in acknowledgement of their furriest congregants with pats on the head.
Copyright 2009 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
First of all, I want to make it clear that I love dogs. In fact, one of my most loyal friends was my childhood springer spaniel. I'm also not opposed to the idea of deceased pets being present in the afterlife. I also really like the idea of an annual "Blessing of the Beasts" service.
However, I would never take a pet to church on an ongoing basis ... let alone be foolish enough to believe that pet was benefitting from religious instruction while there.
Take for example Rocco, Jennifer Goodnow's neighbour's dog who is "culturally Jewish but not practicing", but who is "ripe for conversion" due to being "so into" mass that he "just stares at the altar with his jaw open".
- *sigh*
- How did she decide the dog was culturally Jewish? Just because his owners are? A dog's owners are not his parents.
The Boston Terrier breed originated around 1870, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased a dog known as Hooper's Judge, who was of a Bull and Terrier type lineage, who was bred with French Bulldogs.
The name Hooper originated in England: they were the ones who put the hoops around the barrels.
Awh ... it's all so clear to me now how they journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean to the Promised Land of barrel hoops and Alpo. - Of course the dog is not practicing Judaism! He is a DOG! Dogs don't practice religions!
- My guess is that, if this person is asking if she can bring her neighbour's dog to mass, she is single and lonely, and probably not aware that, if your husband or children just stare at the alter with their mouth hanging open, it is not a sure sign they are "so into" church.
- Ever think of inviting your neighbour to church before their dog?
Okay ... most dogs.
Predicated on the assumption that theology isn't all that important, the kit came with holy water, a baptismal certificate, a prayer of St Francis and instructions for a baptismal ceremony that will "enrich the lives of both you and your pet". Each kit was hand-packed and blessed by Father Andrew himself.
I know, I know ... charging for God's free gift of grace?
I'm as outraged as you are!
However, before you declare that you don't need the instructions, take heed of the "example" below ...
... or, better yet, remember that ANIMALS don't understand THEOLOGY.
posted by Karen | Friday, April 10, 2009
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