MADRID — Dogs, cats and birds were blessed at a church in Madrid on Thursday on the feast day of St. Anthony, the patron saint of animals, with many of the owners making an annual pilgrimage for their pets. St Anthony the Abbot's church priest Angel Garcia expected up to 15,000 pets to be brought in for this year's ceremony. "St. Anthony cared a great deal about dogs and abandoned animals, healing and feeding them. That's where the tradition comes from," said the priest, who blesses each animal. Diana Castillo, a dog owner, said she was keeping up a family tradition, started by her grandparents who would bring their pets to the ceremony, first celebrated 35 years ago. "We are from Madrid for several generations and St. Anthony has always been a very important church for our family ... I come here since we adopted her seven years ago and we come every year." — Reuters