Church opens doors to furry friends

AUSTIN (KXAN) - City Community Church is a place where everyone is welcome at Sunday service, including four-legged friends.

The church meets at the La Zona Rosa bar on Fourth Street in Downtown Austin every Sunday morning. It is a heavenly haven for people and their pets.

"That's part of our philosophy," said Robby Forsythe, City Community Church Pastor. "We want to be a blessing. Everyone is welcome. We decided people can bring their dogs, too."

The Canine Christ Connection started when church members began handing out snacks and dog treats to joggers and their pets on Sunday mornings. Then those pet owners started asking if they could bring their dogs to service.

"It's fun to be able to have a church that incorporates your lifestyle and what's important to you," said church member Jamie Patterson.

City Community Church members miraculously transform the La Zona Rosa bar into a church every Sunday, so it was no problem to bring in the friendly Fidos.

"My dog just sits on the couch and just lays there," said church member Garette Featherstone. "Sometimes he likes to explore when I'm not looking."

So far, these dogs seem to like going to church.

"We were a little big worried about that," said Forsythe. "We always tease one of our members because he has a big German Shepherd, and he might eat the smaller dogs, but there haven't been any problems so far."

City Community Church meets at La Zona Rosa at 612 West 4th St. at 11 a.m. every Sunday.

For more information, visit the City Community Church's Web site.