Rev Chancellor David Hugh Rees conducted his final services in Meliden and Gwaenysgor on Sunday bringing to an end more than 20 years as vicar of the neighbouring parishes.
His retirement in the week he turned 70 also means his six year-old patterdale terrier, Sooty, will no longer be attending services and contributing his popular Extracts from Sooty's Diary feature for the joint parish magazine.
Rev Hugh Rees said: "I think many people look for his column first! It has been a popular feature, where events in his life are recorded as we think he sees them.
"Sooty attends evensong with my wife Janet, as he sits with her while she sings in the choir. He doesn't sing but there was one incident where his lead caught some organ stops and he made some music during the service, which the congregation seemed to find amusing."
Although ordained more than 40 years ago, Rev Hugh Rees' work as a teacher meant he did not have a parish of his own until he moved to Meliden and Gwaenysgor in 1984.
His work since has led to him becoming a senior canon of St Asaph Cathedral to earn him the chancellor title, which he will keep in retirement.
He added: "We have had many happy times here and are very sad to be leaving. Meliden and Gwaenysgor have been very fulfilling places to be based in and there has been plenty of community involvement, such as with the local primary school."
In his retirement from full-time parish work, Rev Hugh Rees is planning to help lead services at churches in the area each week. The couple, and Sooty, will be living inGwaenysgor.