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Area Churches Hold Animal Blessing

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Churches around Washington were welcoming cats, dogs, goldfish and other household pets for a special blessing.

Sunday marked the celebration of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is the patron saint of the environment and animals, and a number of area churches blessed household pets Sunday as a result.

The Washington National Cathedral held a "Blessing of the Animals" service on the cathedral's west steps. St. John's Episcopal Church in Georgetown blessed both real and stuffed animals and gave out treats for pets and humans.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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