About 20 pet owners in Clarksburg took their furry friends to the lawn across from Immaculate Conception Parish for the church's annual pet blessing.

Fr. Casey Mahone began the blessing with a scripture reading and then sprinkled the animals with holy water.

Cats, dogs and other exotic pets showed up at the blessing.

Vickie Bowden of Clarksburg brought her 14-year old pet hermit crab "Buster" to the blessing.

Pet blessings across the country are held the first Sunday of October in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint for animals.