The Rev. Ken Hitch blesses Bobby, 15, at the annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Eustace Episcopal Church in Lake Placid Sunday. Bobby was wearing a green bow to match owner Judith Tonks’ jacket. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

LAKE PLACID — The Rev. Ken Hitch blessed cats and dogs on the front steps of St. Eustace Episcopal Church after Sunday’s service at the annual Blessing of the Animals, including one additional animal that wasn’t a pet — a squirrel that had become trapped in the glass alcove outside the front doors of the church.

To recognize the Feast of St. Francis coming on Wednesday, parishioners of the church bring their furry friends to be blessed each year. St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the environment. He is said to have even preached to birds.

Carol Nevulis said the squirrel has been in and out of the church area in the past three months. This weekend, when they do the blessing of the animals, it showed up in the entry room.

Hitch made a point of stopping by the window to share a blessing with the squirrel. He said he’ll need to buy a “have a heart” trap to remove the rodent.

Robin Heagan, who was there to visit dogs Porter and Mr. Higgins, read from Genesis 1, verses 24 to 31 — a passage on the creation of all living creatures.

“Grant that we may be faithful stewards of your good gifts and the creatures you have given into our charge,” Hitch said in his prayer. “Protect all of them from harm … and their own curiosities.”

As the dogs got each other and their owners tangled in their leashes, tying knots like Eagle Scouts, the parishioners swapped stories of their pets.