Pastor prays for pets

MARTINEZ - Rev. Cynthia Taylor looks out for all God&#39;s children - even the four-legged ones. <br> <br> Taylor prayed for more than 100 animals whose owners flocked to her Blessing of the Animals service, held in celebration of the Oct. 4 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. <br> <br> Taylor, pastor of the Church of the Holy Comforter, invited the owners to the annual event. <br> <br> ``It really goes out into the community,&#39;&#39; she told The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle. ``This is my favorite thing I get to do as a priest that the church is involved in.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> People from Appling to Augusta turned out with dogs and cats from eight weeks to 17 years old. Dave Reynolds even rolled in a child stroller-turned-mobile perch for his two macaws. <br> <br> Taylor prayed amid a chorus of barks, meows and bird calls. <br> <br> She met with each animal holding it if she could and said prayers for wet noses, shiny coats, good health and long lives. Taylor spent extra time with older pets. <br> <br> She also offered consolation for pets and owners who had lost other loved ones, like Mike and Ginny Sellars. Their golden retriever, Emily, lost her sister, Alex, to leukemia in June. Taylor prayed for Alex&#39;s safety and happiness. <br> <br> ``Emily gets us through it,&#39;&#39; Ginny Sellars said. ``She is the strong one.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> This was the first trip for the Sellarses, but they have already vowed to return next year. <br> <br> Wisconsin native Sandy Demos attended the blessing with some friends. She was astounded that the large crowd was able to stand patiently in line without getting agitated or pushy. <br> <br> ``See what dogs do to people&#39;s hearts,&#39;&#39; Demos said. ``Dogs bring you down to a whole new pace.&#39;&#39;