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Transcription: [00:13:24]
A variety of pampered pets, accompanied by their owners, are getting ready for a very special occasion. The Blessing of the Animals.

[00:13:32]
All over Mexico, every January 17th is set aside especially for them. It's done in honor of the patron saint of the animals, Saint Anthony.

[00:13:43]
As church blessings do entail a bit of water, I guess this one didn't want to get her hair wet.

[00:13:52]
Taxco is dominated by its 18th century Santa Prisca church. Considered one of the finest examples of Baroque art in the western hemisphere.

[00:14:04]
Here by the church, the children and their pets have gathered, and are waiting in happy anticipation for the blessing.

[00:14:16]
Things in Mexico are often not run with time-table punctuality. This ceremony, which was supposed to start at 10 o'clock in the morning, actually didn't get underway until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

[00:14:30]
Luckily though, no one seemed to mind, and they all just waited patiently on the church steps.

[00:14:38]
In order to while away the time, a curious puppy investigates its neighbor, much to its owner's concern.

[00:14:47]
The group of feathers, fluff, and fur patiently awaits the priest's arrival. Finally their long vigil was rewarded, when Father Lopez appeared to perform the ceremony of the Blessing of the Animals.

[00:15:00]
For this one brief moment, the little animals and birds are the center of attention as they receive their blessings.

[00:15:07]
[[Crowd laughter]]

[00:15:15]
I didn't understand the Padre's Spanish too well, but at the end I thought I heard him say, "Go and sin no more."