Blessing of the Animals Calendar 2011

A new calendar brimming with heart and spirit, Blessing of the Animals celebrates the deep-rooted tradition of sanctifying beloved animal friends and helpers. Spanning cultures and faiths, these ceremonies affirm—adorably—the special place animals occupy in our lives. A majestic white horse is led down the aisle of a church while a penguin watches from the pews. A smiling pot-bellied pig is doubly fortunate as he receives a blessing from a priest and a tummy rub from a group of children. A Golden Retriever, a crocodile, and a tortoise line up for their communal blessing. The full-color photographs are poignant and charming, and are accompanied by text describing the featured ceremony as well as quotes such as this: "Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way."—John Muir