
Who's a good boy? Madrid church blesses animals with holy water in yearly tradition
Hundreds of pet owners lined up in Madrid on Tuesday as the priest from St Anthony's Church blessed their animals with holy water.
Dogs of all sizes, cats and even horses and sheep were seen at the Spanish capital centre for this annual tradition where pets are blessed for good health and protection.
Augusto Peralta, a local resident, brought his three sheep to the event. "We have been coming here with them for a long time. Manolita, who is the mother and the eldest, has been ill this year, she is quite old and the things that come with ageing... And we wanted to bring her to see if the Saint will do something for her", he said.
Every year, on January 17, several Catholic churches in Spain celebrate the Day of Anthony the Abbot, Patron Saint of animals, by blessing the neighbours' pets.

Hundreds of pet owners lined up in Madrid on Tuesday as the priest from St Anthony's Church blessed their animals with holy water.
Dogs of all sizes, cats and even horses and sheep were seen at the Spanish capital centre for this annual tradition where pets are blessed for good health and protection.
Augusto Peralta, a local resident, brought his three sheep to the event. "We have been coming here with them for a long time. Manolita, who is the mother and the eldest, has been ill this year, she is quite old and the things that come with ageing... And we wanted to bring her to see if the Saint will do something for her", he said.
Every year, on January 17, several Catholic churches in Spain celebrate the Day of Anthony the Abbot, Patron Saint of animals, by blessing the neighbours' pets.