A merry pack of dogs and one rabbit, plus their humans came to worship their Creator and celebrate St. Francis on Saturday at St. Johns Church, Pembroke Dock.

In a special service of blessing for creatures great and small, the Vicar, Rev. Nicky Skipworth, led her congregation through some lovely hymns, a psalm and a time of blessing.

The service concluded with refreshments for both animals and humans; some actually went away with a doggy bag.

At one stage, Nicky was happily overwhelmed by the affection of one particular little rescue dog named Brennan, which is Gaelic for ‘king’.

Nicky said: “Brennan was so sweet! Yes, we were small in number, but great in heart for these beautiful animals and their cherished humans, so we will carry on offering this act of worship at this time of year. I am often told that, surely, animals cannot come in to church and this makes me sad. So I’m saying, as Vicar for the town, that this is not the case. Young and older, well and suffering, happy and sad, native and newcomer; bristly, furry and fluffy... all are welcome in Jesus’ name.”