Photos by Tim Gruber | The Roanoke Times

The Rev. Maurita Wiggins lays her hands on Jo Taormina's rooster, Rory Borelius, at the blessing of the animals ceremony Sunday at the Valley Community Church, Divine Science, in Roanoke.

The Rev. Maurita Wiggins blesses Chloe, a mixed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who was one of the nine dogs present at Sunday's service.

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Miss Kitty's kidneys were failing.

Her veterinarian predicted that she would not make it past the weekend but her owner decided to take a higher calling of action last year.

Brenda Kinzie took Miss Kitty to the annual pet blessing ceremony at Valley Community Church, Divine Science in Roanoke.

"I really and truly thought she was done for," said Kinzie, a member of the church.

"But after the prayer she had a new determination to live -- she just wasn't ready to go."

Sunday morning Kinzie and about 20 Roanoke-area residents brought their pets to the outdoor ceremony, the church's 10th.

Nine dogs and a rooster were present. Other owners brought pictures of their animals to be blessed.

The Rev. Maurita Wiggins said the ceremony's purpose is to bless the animals for the impact they have on their owners' lives.

The church of divine science believes God fills all realms and dimensions of existence, Wiggins said.

Wiggins said she believes pets are more than animals -- they are companions and even heroes.

She said there have been plenty of instances where pets have blessed owners' lives by protecting them.

"Anything that blesses us should be blessed," she said. "Animals are so accepting and forgiving of us. They treat you the same every day. It is such a lovely thing to do to bless these animals."

Pets large as golden retrievers and as small as Chihuahuas sat quietly as Wiggins preached about the communication between owners and their pets.

Church member and rooster owner Jo Taormina said, "It is always nice to see how the animals seem so calm and how they get along. There is hardly even any barking, fights or an unhappy animal."

After the sermon the pets were brought up front one by one as Wiggins laid her hands on the animal's head and prayed for it.

Lynne Smith, who has been attending the church for a year, said she believes she has a responsibility to her pet.

"God told us to take care of the animals," she said. "These blessings will protect them from illness and accidents."