A blessing for Princess Buttercup, and other bright creatures

By Ginny Privitar
SUGAR LOAF — Every dachshund, gerbil, and parrot needs their very own, personalized blessing. And last Saturday they got one, at Sugar Loaf United Methodist Church.
“Every year we have animals that come back," said the Rev. Susan Chupungco, who led the church's fifth annual "Blessing of the Animals" service. "We have heard incredible stories — animals who had cancer and are now cancer-free, animals who were in pain that seem to be doing better.”
Local residents and those from farther afield, including New Jersey, attended with their pets. Jean Lozoraitis brought her dog, Seeley, and Holly Vanderkruik brought Branson, a therapy dog in training. Both are Warwick residents, and both of their dogs are mixed-breed rescues.
“They’re the best," said Vanderkruik said. "I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.”
Tommy Meyers came from Middletown with his therapy rabbit, Princess Buttercup, all decked out for Halloween. She is certified as a therapy animal by the Bunnies in Baskets organization. Meyers has a Facebook page titled, “Some Bunny Loves You.”
Meyers said he got the therapy rabbit idea when he took Princess Buttercup to visit his aunt in a nursing home. It took forever to get to her room because all the other residents wanted to pet the rabbit, he said.
Meyer’s friends, Mike and Melanie Bartow from Middletown, brought their therapy rabbits too, riding comfortably in a stroller. Rebecca was a rescue from a Hamptonburg farm hoarding case.
Pat Rose of Sugar Loaf brought both feathers and fur. She came with Ms. Charlotte, age 35, a magnificent Scarlet Macaw; Frankie, age 2, a yellow-crowned Amazon; as well as her dog, D.J.
Paula and Harvey Shames of Sugar Loaf brought Henry, an English Staffordshire Terrier.
“We’ve owned bull terriers for 50 years,” Harvey said.
Some sought prayers for animals that weren’t present. Sue Odell asked for blessings for her sister’s pets, who live in Rockland with their owner, and for the Equine Rescue organization in Pine Bush.
Plenty of dogs, both mixed breeds and purebreds, received their blessings, including a Yorkshire terrier, a border terrier, dachshunds, and a white Maltese. The Warwick Humane Society attended with Guinea pigs, cats, gerbils, and a charming cocker spaniel named Rusty. They’re all up for adoption: drop in at 48 Public Works Rd., Warwick, or call 986-2473.
Marie Threlfal of Warwick brought her therapy dog Katy Lynn, a German shepherd. Katy Lynn works with and comforts chemically addicted and mentally ill patients at a hospital in Paramus, N.J.
“We get so many service animals who are serving the community," said the Rev. Chupungco. "It’s just really great to bless the work that they are doing, the lives they are touching. It’s just a beautiful event.”