The Patron Saint of Animals Dogs and the Joy of Pet Ownership

St. Francis of Assisi is often revered as the patron saint of animals, dogs, and the joy of pet ownership. He had a deep love for all creatures, great and small, and is said to have been particularly fond of dogs.

St. Francis is often depicted with a dog by his side, symbolizing his compassion and kindness towards animals. This iconic image has become synonymous with his legacy as a champion of animal welfare.

In honor of St. Francis' love for animals, many people choose to celebrate his feast day, October 4th, by doing something special for their furry friends. Whether it's taking them on a longer walk, playing with them, or simply giving them extra treats, it's a wonderful way to show appreciation for the companionship they bring to our lives.

St. Guinefort was a greyhound who lived in a castle near Lyon, France in the 13th century. He was known for his bravery and loyalty to his family, especially the infant son of his owner, a knight.

One day, the knight returned home to find the nursery in chaos and Guinefort with bloody jaws, believing the dog had devoured his son. However, Guinefort had actually killed a viper that had been threatening the child, saving his life.

The family, realizing their mistake, created a shrine for Guinefort, which became a place of pilgrimage for locals seeking healing and protection, especially mothers with sick children.

The cult of St. Guinefort persisted for centuries, despite repeated prohibitions by the Catholic Church, and community memory of the practices was still present in the 1970s.

The story of St. Guinefort is a testament to the enduring power of animal devotion and the importance of recognizing the special bond between humans and animals.

St. Roch was a Catholic saint and a confessor, who lived in the 14th century. He is remembered for his devotion to the poor.

St. Roch quarantined himself from others out in the woods to prevent spreading the disease to others. He befriended a dog who would lick his sores and injuries and kept him company alone in the woods.

He is the patron saint of plague-stricken people and several cities in Italy, France, and Canada.

St. Guinefort was a greyhound who lived in a castle near Lyon in the 13th century. The story of Guinefort is a variation on the "faithful hound" motif, similar to the Welsh story of the dog Gelert.

The story goes that Guinefort belonged to a knight who left his infant son in the care of the dog while he went hunting. Upon returning, the knight found the nursery in chaos, the cradle overturned, and Guinefort greeted him with bloody jaws. He believed Guinefort had devoured his son and slew the dog.

However, it was later discovered that Guinefort had actually killed a viper that had been attacking the child, saving its life. The family realized their mistake and venerated Guinefort as a saint, visiting a shrine dedicated to him when they were in need, especially mothers with sick children.

The Catholic Church considered the cult of St. Guinefort to be superstitious and made efforts to eradicate it, even enacting a fine for continued practice. Despite this, the custom persisted for several centuries, with the last known visit to the shrine occurring in the 1940s.

Here are some key facts about St. Guinefort: