Grieving process the same for animals
Saying Farewell
By Rob Petkau, Calgary Herald November 5, 2009
The death of a beloved pet can be just as devastating as the death of a spouse or child, says Arnold Paterson, owner of Pet Heaven Crematorium & Funeral Chapel. "I spent 35 years in funeral work, and I think the grieving processes are one and the same," he says. "A lot of people, after their spouse dies, get an animal for company and their whole life revolves around it, just like if it were a mate or a spouse. And when the animal dies, it's a real tragedy for them, the same as if it was a human loved one." Most pets in Calgary are cremated -either at a private facility like Pet Heaven or at the Calgary Humane Society. "We do both general cremation of several animals at once, and private individual cremations," says Joe Coffin, general manager of operations for the society. Private cremations at the Humane Society cost between $120 and $200, depending on the size of the animal and the type of urn that will contain its ashes. "In our new facility, we also have a Serenity Room, where people can spend a last few minutes with their pet before we proceed with the cremation. They're able to be in a nice, quiet space where they can reflect on memories." The society is also planning a program for 2010 where people can have trees planted in to celebrate the life of their four-footed companions. A walkway made from memorial bricks is also in the works for the future. "We also have a memorial wall in our facility, where people can get a laser-engraved plaque on marble or slate and put it up on the wall. People look at pets as family members," Coffin says. Paterson opened Pet Heaven 4 ½ years ago to help people say farewell to their four-footed loved ones in a meaningful, personal way. "Sometimes, people see their animals at the vet clinic and they don't see them again until they get the ashes back," he says. Pet owners sometimes ask him how they can be sure the ashes they're given really belonged to their pet, and he does whatever he can to remove any doubt. "It can be therapeutic to sit with the animal and say goodbye. You can come watch your animal being put in the crematorium -some people want to put their animals in the crematorium themselves," Paterson says. "Families have to be aware of the options they have, but a lot of them don't know what questions to ask -what are your office hours, can I come in and watch the animal being cremated, are home visits available 24/7 and when can I take my urn home?"
While KANE LASER have no immediate plans to build a pet crematorium, and our operation managers name is not as appropriate as 'Joe Coffin' , we can of course put a picture of your pet onto slate, marble or granite. Simply email us an image of your pet or send a photo and we will provide you with options and proofs for your approval at no cost.
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(from The Clare People, 1st Sept 2009)
When Michael meets Muhammad Ali
Former Mayor of Ennis looks forward to seeing his ambitious suggestion bear fruit!
When Muhammad Ali steps onto Ennis soil next week, former Mayor of Ennis, Michael Corley, will witness his ambitious suggestion of 2002 bear fruit.
When genealogists at the Clare Heritage Centre unearthed the unlikely Irish and Clare connections of the boxing legend, in particular his descendancy from the Grady clan in Ennis, Mr Corley, as chairman of the Town Council, suggested that the three-times world boxing champion should be invited to visit the town; the Council unanimously passed the motion to name Muhammad Ali a freeman of Ennis.
Seven years on, and Michael Corley is ecstatic that Ali has decided to accept his invitation, He is counting the days until he finally stands in the presence of a man who was crowned ‘Sportsman of the Century’ by Sports Illustrated and ‘Sports Personality of the Century’ by the BBC in 1999. It’s something he never believed would happen and he will be standing proudly and prominently to extend a hand and a rapturous welcome to ‘The Greatest’.
He has even commissioned local craftsman, Stephen Kane, to produce a commemorative piece to mark the occasion – a laser engraved gift on Killaloe Slate, comprising the coats of Arms of the Clay and O’Grady families with an image from the Turnpike area of Ennis, where Ali’s great grandfather, Abe Grady, was born.
“I will take great pride in presenting this piece to Ali,” he said. “Occasions like this are once in a lifetime; it’s most certainly one that I will cherish and relish for many a day!”
The former boxer’s visit has been organised by biotechnology firm Alltech, headed by Dundalk native Pearse Lyons, to establish a fund to raise money for educationally underprivileged children, under the Alltech Muhammad Ali Centre Global Education and Charitable Fund.
The laser engraved gift was created by Stephen Kane of Kane Laser, Ennis, Co Clare.
Picture shows:
Former Mayor of Ennis Michael Corley who issued an invitation seven years ago to Muhammad Ali to visit Ennis is pictured with local craftsman Stephen Kane, and the engraved coats of arms of the Clay and O'Grady families.