Church Service Gone to the Dogs in California

And congregation members are shouting a hearty "Amen!"

The Reverend Tom Eggebeen has spent the last three years serving as interim pastor of the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles, California.  He thought his church services needed a dose of excitement and he let the dog loving part of his nature inspire him.

Last Sunday evening, Eggebeen presided over the first ever Canines at Covenant service, where congregation members were invited to bring their dogs to church.  The 30-minute church service was a howling success, with about 30 people bringing pooches of all persuasions, large and small.  The church-going dogs were honored with doggie treats, plenty of water, doggie beds, prayer requests in their honor, and a special hymn, "GoD and DoG."

The Canines at Covenant service is to be a weekly service.  An informal survey suggests as many as 500  events at churches nationwide focus on the blessing of pets, although only a handful have gone to the dogs to the extent of offering regularly scheduled pet-friendly services like that at Covenant Presbyterian.

According to Rev. Eggebeen, the Bible says God is light and God is love.  "And when we love a dog and a dog loves us, that's a part of God and God is a part of that."

Amen, Brother!