Blessings were going to the dogs – and cats, fish, turtles – all manner of creatures assembled at St. Joseph Catholic School for their fourth annual pet blessing, according to an Oct. 1, 2004, Daily News article.

The event was held in honor of St. Francis of Assissi, patron of animals. Results seemed mixed. While Dixie the Weimaraner, on her third round of blessings, was reportedly “a very loving pet,” class mascot iguana Elvis’s sanctifications didn’t seem to stick as he continued to escape from his cage.

– “Way Back When in Warren County” is compiled by researchers at the Warren County Public Library and appears twice weekly in the Bowling Green Daily News. For more information about the library, visit warrenpl.org.