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I was about to give up on this assignment. I wandered around a completely empty First Presbyterian Church in Norman for about 15 minutes looking for the Blessing of the Animals service. Finally, I found Rev. Pam Normile and the service, which was held in the corner of a parking lot across the street from the church.

Rev. Pam Normile blesses a cocker spaniel named Sipsey, during a Blessing of the Animals service outside First Presbyterian Church in Norman on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Visually, the service was very interesting. A semi-circle of chairs in a half empty parking lot,  a small table with a cross and dogs running around everywhere. You can watch a slideshow of the service by clicking here.

Miniature schnauzers Stella and Laney get their owner Charlie Crane, of Norman, tangled up in leashes during a Blessing of the Animals service outside First Presbyterian Church in Norman on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

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