Article written & submitted by the North Fort Myers Neighbor 
By JENNIFER MOSSCROP

nfmneighbor@breezenewspapers.com
There were a few more tails than usual at the Shell Factory’s Nature Park on Oct. 4 during the St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of the Animals procession and ceremony.

Pet owners brought along their furry four-legged companions to be blessed by Deacon Thomas Zalewski from Saint Francis Xavier Holy Catholic Church, Fort Myers and the had a chance to visit the residents of the nature park during a blessing of the animals procession.

With holy water and a small prayer, Zalewski blessed each pet individually then walked through the whole nature park and blessed all of the animals which includes an array of animals like emus, praire dogs, goats, rodents, hedgehogs, turkeys and even Princess the baby zebra.

He also went into the serval cat and camel cages and sprinkled holy water into the koi pond.

“It is important to bless the animals, they are our friends,” Zalewski said. “Jesus loved all creatures and God created all things.” Read the rest of this entry »