PREVIEW

The Pawed's Prayer! Animals Attend Special Service At Ely Cathedral. Ely Cathedral played host to creatures great and small in late September at their annual animal service. Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, and even a miniature pony and a donkey in attendance. While dogs far outnumbered other animals, a few placid cats, rabbits, hamsters, and gerbils joined the congregation for the unique event celebrating animals of all kinds. Arguably the star of the service though was Black, a 22-year-old miniature Shetland pony, who travelled from Buckinghamshire with his eight-year-old owner, Primrose, and her family. Marley, the cathedral's honorary donkey, also made a guest appearance. The service, which focused on animal welfare and working animals, featured representatives from Medical Detection Dogs, a charity based in Milton Keynes. The congregation heard how these specially trained dogs can support people with life-threatening health conditions and detect diseases such as cancer through bio-detection. A cathedral spokesperson explained the importance of the service by saying that it was about “celebrating animals of every kind”. The pets and their owners appeared to enjoy the service - with some dogs even joining in during the hymns.