A non-profit society is working to develop Canada’s first legislated pet memorial gardens, where animal lovers can come together to remember and celebrate the life of their beloved companions.
Just Love Animals has taken on the monumental task of fundraising and eventually creating and managing these destination locations. The society’s founders, Jordan Illingworth and Lonnie Powell, have a vision that includes a five-acre, artist-inspired space that will one day include trees, chapels, art installations and brick walkways to line the property engraved with personalized messages remembering beloved companions.
Illingworth and Powell were inspired to form the society in 2009, after their Great Dane Floyd was deliberately poisoned in Toronto. Told by a veterinarian to take Floyd home to die, Illingworth and Powell were instead determined to save their beloved dog by using a holistic approach including, among other methods, homeopathic remedies, Chinese herbs and acupuncture. Their efforts gained them three more years with Floyd and a resounding faith in holistic healing.
Illingworth and Powellhope the memorial gardens will become gathering places that inspire discussion amongst animal lovers about the special bond they shared with their pet and the grief they’ve suffered from losing them. But the society’s goal in having animal lovers share theirstories, anecdotes and personal moments is not just to remember the past but also to offer an opportunity to forge new relationships and create fresh memories that will strengthen, comfort and inspire.
But memorial gardens don’t come free, so JLA has used some imagination in creating memorable initiatives and events to raise money, such as Got Nuts? We Can Fix That, a program that works to offer inexpensive or free spaying and neutering to low-income pet owners. The society’s largest fundraising initiative is Pet-A-Palooza, a festival dedicated to all things canine, including non-profit rescue groups. The Vancouver event takes place Aug. 23.
Stretches: check.
Water: check.
Attitude: always.
A race taking place in Yaletown Aug. 23, is an opportunity for French and English bulldogs to show their lightning-fast speed and agility during the Running of the Bulls — or not. The bulldogs’ participation, of course, hinges on whether they decide to take part.
Any French or English bulldog is eligible to take part in the race, just one of many events included in the daylong Pet-A-Palooza festival taking place at 1100 Mainland St. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Frenchies and bulldogs will run separately.
Other canine-centric events planned for Pet-A-Palooza include dog weddings, “Bang Trims and Pawdicures,” red carpet photo opportunities and a chance to ask a veterinarian questions about your pet. Visit jlasociety.com for more information.
