Photo taken October 16, 2011. Submitted here with the approval of the pastor and the boy's parents. I was asked to take pictures during our Church's outdoor "Blessing of the Animals" service. A few young children also brought a "special" friend, which they timidly offered for blessing.

This photo captures the pastor's gentle caring for the young boy, and the boy's exuberant joy, after watching many family pets being blessed, that his friend was being blessed too.

Canon EOS 7D; 1/250th sec; ISO-320; focal length 37mm; f/2.8 to control depth of field centered on the animal being offered.