By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-12-29 04:19:18 | Updated at 2024-12-30 20:18:39
1 day ago
Hymns resonated and eulogies filled the air at a church in Hong Kong one afternoon, much like at any other Christian memorial service.
What made the funeral service unusual was that the deceased, Siu Dou, was a dog.
Church-goer Michael Leung* said that long before he welcomed the shiba inu into his life, he believed it was essential to hold memorial services for animals that had died, just as one would for any member of the community.
The loss of his 13-year companion, Siu Dou, or “little bean”, in August devastated Leung, who is in his 40s. He said the dog had offered him endless love, and he wanted to pay his final tribute to his furry friend with a proper funeral in September.
“This is my love and respect for him, and I hope he might know that dad and mum [his wife] had arranged a funeral for him when he returned to the side of Jesus,” said Leung, who holds a doctorate in theology.
Unlike the Buddhist and Taoist communities, conducting a memorial service for deceased pets is not a common practice among local Protestant and Catholic churches.
