The weather drove the blessing of the animals scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday from the parking lot to the fellowship hall of the Cox Memorial United Methodist Church in Hallowell, and the warmth of the venue may well have added to the warmth of the gathering.

While pets had to be leashed or in a carrier, each was set to be anointed individually by Pastor Nancy Bischoff, who was also available to memorialize pets with their owners. In at least one case a pet found new owners at the church outreach.