Nearer my dog to thee?

For an "only in L.A." kind of story, how about a church that has started a service for pets?

The Rev. Tom Eggebeen at Covenant Presbyterian Church wanted to try and shake things up at his church, so he came up with a 30-minute service for dogs complete with individual dog beds, prayers for canines and dog treats.

Here's the Associated Press story via the Columbus, Ga., Ledger-Enquirer.

Before the first Canines at Covenant service last Sunday (Nov. 1), Eggebeen said many Christians love their pets as much as human family members and grieve just as deeply when they suffer — but churches have been slow to recognize that love as the work of God.

"The Bible says of God only two things in terms of an 'is': That God is light and God is love. And wherever there's love, there's God in some fashion," said Eggebeen, himself a dog lover. "And when we love a dog and a dog loves us, that's a part of God and God is a part of that. So we honor that."

The article said all sizes of dogs, and about 30 humans, attended the first service, which held in the church's chapel.

Eggebeen took prayer requests for Mr. Boobie (healing of the knees) and Hunter (had a stroke) and then called out the names of beloved pets past and present (Quiche, Tiger, Timmy, Baby Angel and Spunky) before launching into the Lord's Prayer.

That kind of service might make me get up earlier on Sunday.