Two dogs were blessed at the Ironton Christ Episcopal Church, as the church had its annual pet blessing on Saturday.

“We’ve been doing this for the past six years. Normally we have cats and dogs, but since it’s raining we were happy to be able to bless the two dogs,” Sallie Schisler, priest in charge, said. “The idea for blessing animals comes from the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. We do this in remembrance of St. Francis and for giving thanks for all of the creation of earth.”

Karen Noble, of Ironton and the church’s musician and junior warden, brought her guard dog Posie to be blessed.

“I’ve had Posie for 10 years and we do everything together,” Noble said. “I’ve brought her to every pet blessing for years.”

Ironton resident Judy Conway also brought her dog Obama to the blessing.

“I’ve brought him to this every year,” Conway said. “They deserve a blessing just like people and he is a blessing.”

A.J. Stack, deacon of the church and layperson Deb Hagerty also assisted Schisler with the blessing.