Service for Telford creatures great and small
Domestic pets of all shapes and sizes gathered at a Shropshire church for a service dedicated to animals.
Dogs, cats, hamsters and guinea pigs were among the congregation at Leegomery Methodist Church in Telford on Sunday.
Prayers and hymns about four-legged friends featured in the service aimed at Sunday school children who brought their beloved pets to church.
Secretary Shirley Stevens said: "All the animals behaved themselves and I think the children enjoyed it. One dog had a wander around during the service but it didn't matter, they let him off the lead and he went up and down the aisle.
"The Reverend Derrick Lander asked the children what their pets' names were, what they do and how they look after them.
"He said you are going to be the service today.
"Parents were telling stories about the animals' adventures. One lady was saying how her children's hamster escaped and they all had to try to find it.
"The reverend said a prayer for the pets and their owners and said how they were all part of God's world.
"We sang All Things Bright and Beautiful and the hymn that starts 'think of a world without any flowers' because it says 'think of a world without any animals'.
"The reverend said 'wouldn't it be a dull world if there weren't any animals'.
"He asked people what do you get from your animals and they were saying friendship and, if you're older, you get company and love."
