- The world's first chapel for dogs has opened in the
American
state of Vermont, with pews and stained-glass windows depicting black
labradors
with halos.
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- Up to 15 dogs at a time have been attending chapel in
a forest near the small town of St Johnsbury, in accordance with the
doctrine
on the noticeboard outside: "All creeds, all breeds, no
dogma."
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- The chapel is a gesture of thanks from Stephen Huneck,
a folk artist, to his five dogs who, he says, helped him to recuperate
from a serious illness three years ago. He said: "They played a really
important part in my recovery. They understood that I needed to become
well and would surround me whenever I went out."
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- After recovering from a virus that left him in a coma
for two months, Mr Huneck, 51, went to work on the chapel, which is
modelled
on a traditional early-19th-century design and made out of white
clapboard.
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- His devotion to dogs is in the details. The weathervane
is a running dog while carved dogs hold up the pews. Light plays through
stained-glass windows that show dogs and the legends: "Peace",
"Play" and "Love".
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- Mr Huneck, who spent £140,000 on the chapel, is
an artist with a growing reputation, with works in the Smithsonian in
Washington,
the Museum of American Folk Art and the American Kennel Club in New
York.
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- After opening this summer, the chapel has become a haven
for man and dog, particularly owners who have lost pets. "I was up
there today," he said, "and there were 15 dogs. They seemed
really
happy to be there." The entrance to the building is already covered
with photographs and messages from bereaved owners. "I want dogs and
people to feel as if they are in a cathedral," he said.
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- Later this year, he hopes to hold "blessing of the
animals" services. Local clergy, he said, had raised no objections
either to the idea or the canine theme. "In fact, quite a few of them
have been to see if there is anything they can do."
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