Famed cathedral's dog becomes nativity star

From NBC-

It’s not unusual to find a nativity at a church this time of year, but the scene at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City has a little something that stands out. His name is Lexington II.
Msgr. Robert Ritchie, the famed cathedral's rector, added a new statue to the scene this year — a dog, modeled after a yellow Labrador named Lexington.

He was heartbroken when he entered a pet shop on New York's Lexington Ave. 15 years ago, as his previous canine companion had just died after 10 years of devotion. He didn’t want another dog, but in the shop, a friendly Lab puppy licked his hand — and he was hooked. Lexington hasn’t left his side since.

The dog statue was created in Ortisei, Italy, at the Demetz Art Studio — the same studio that carved the Jesus, Mary, Joseph and other parts of the crèche. The statue is actually a Golden Retriever, not a yellow Labrador, but when Msgr. Ritchie reached out to the studio, the dog had already been carved. It might not be a perfect fit, but the man in charge of painting the statue came to New York and loved Lexington’s coloring, so the Lab’s coat inspired the finishing touches.

While the new addition has plenty of fans, some visitors don’t think a dog belongs next to the baby Jesus, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

More here-

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45565363/ns/today-holiday_guide/t/famed-cathedrals-dog-becomes-nativity-star/#.TuERxWDMcVm