The Blessed Dachshund

Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 – October 3, 1226) was a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans.
He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, and it is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October 4.

Enjoy some photos of dachshunds being blessed this month. (Click any photo to enlarge). Above, Nick Scorcia holds up his miniature dachshund 'Mossimo' to be blessed by a priest during the blessing of the animals at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey. Source

'Hannah' the red smooth dachshund came for the Blessing of the Animals at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Knoxville, Tennessee. Source

'Anna,' a longhaired english cream miniature dachshund, sits on the lap of her owner Mary D'Angelo, of New York, as they await the start of a St. Francis Day service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine which included the Blessing of the Animals. Source

Payson Caballero holds his red smooth dachshund 'Winie' during the Blessing of the Animals at St. Anthony's School in Sterling, Colorado. His dog was already getting ready for halloween, he was wearing a pirate outfit. Source
Ron Patterson, right, the senior minister at Naples United Church of Christ in Naples, Florida, gives a blessing to 'Skoshi,' a 5-year-old miniature black and tan long-haired dappled dachshund as owner Peggy Bradley stands by. Source
10-year-old black and tan 'Gretchen Marie' was dressed in her Sunday best for the Naples blessing. Saint Francis statue in Rio De Janeiro as photographed by David Walker.