Paul Blackburn of Richmond holds his 9-year-old Yorkie Lee Lou as he listened to the Rev. Carol Smith, pastor of the Richmond United Methodist Church, begin the church’s first blessing of the animals ceremony Saturday morning in the church parking lot. The event attracted a bunny, two horses and a variety of dogs and cats and included refreshments, pet pictures, a pet parade, door prizes and goodie bags. Saturday’s forecast brought skies threatening to “rain cats and dogs,” but today’s outlook promises sunny skies with a high in the low 60s. -Janice Kiaski
