Planes irritate him, he is unsettled by butterflies and will do anything for a piece of cheese. He can't swim - nope, not even dog paddle.

On Sunday, he was blessed.

Rocket joined an online menagerie of furry, feathered friends for the annual Blessing of the Animals by Rosemary Schaffler of the Turramurra Community Baptist Church.

Rosemary shares a prayer or two for our favourite little beasts each year on a visit to the Hastings.

This time, due to health crisis restrictions, our hounds' holy intervention happened via Zoom. It was a virtual Brady Bunch of birds, bunnies, cats and dogs - it was a session in faith for the unconditionally faithful and the human they love the most.

Members of the Port Macquarie Dachshund Group also attended.

Read more: Pets may struggle with post-lockdown life

There was song, prayer and messages of love and support for those who may be experiencing loneliness in isolation, to the elderly who may be feeling fear, students anxious about returning to school and hope that communities come out the other side of this crisis with a clearer, kinder outlook on life.

"May we all know that we are loved," Rosemary said.

Fight less, be kind to the environment and live peacefully. If that's a three-point plan moving forward, I'll happily champion it.

Rocket was content in my lap, albeit distracted momentarily by the smell of a bacon and egg roll and occasionally nodding off. And I was happy too.

The last few months have been hard - really hard. We've all been rewriting the rules of daily life, reflecting on what we need and can do without and realising just how important it is to stay connected, be kind and shake off the shackles of selfishness.

That's what helps make us human. Although dogs, I reckon, probably do it better.

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