The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
BLESSINGS ABOUND
Chester woman thriving in new career as pet care specialist after losing own dog
In 2009, Chester Township resident Sherri DiPietro lost her beloved dog, Tootsie.
But she gained her calling in life.
“That little dog got me through breast cancer. She got me through a major car accident,” DiPietro said. “When I found her, I was working for a builder. She ran into a vacant lot next door where I was doing an open house. She was just sitting in the middle of a field. She was bruised and mangy. She wanted me to pick her up. She had no tag. She had been in that development for three weeks. She got away from the dog warden, the humane society and the police. And she picked me.”
When Tootsie passed away, DiPietro wanted to give her the best send-off she could, so Tootsie was one of the first pets memorialized by DeJohn Funeral Homes & Crematory in Willoughby Hills.
DiPietro was so impressed with Tootsie’s care that she decided to work at the funeral home as a pet care specialist at DeJohn Pet Services, which officially opened in May 2010.
“It was kind of a concept back then and evolved to what it is today. The pet is treated like a furry child,” she said. “They’re kept in a casket and wrapped in a
blanket after they pass. It almost looks like a bassinet. They’re cremated privately, which means one at a time. They don’t lose their identity. They’re treated with dignity, respect and compassion. We’re geared for pet parents who want something more for their pet than just traditional veterinary cremation services. I do nose prints, paw prints and fur clippings. You have private time where you get closure. You know who is caring for your pet. Our cremation box is on site. They have a Rainbow Bridge room. With every pet I take care of, I do it with Tootsie’s spirit.”
DiPietro also enjoys helping living creatures who may be older or ill, or just need a little extra protection.
On Oct. 14, DiPietro helped Pastor Eric Leissa of the Body of Christ Community in Willoughby as he held the annual Blessing of the Animals and Memorial Service on the grounds of the Chardon Road funeral home.
About two dozen pet lovers brought their dogs to the service. Leissa said the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology, and asked attendees to place an opened hand above their animals’ heads as he said a blessing for them.
DiPietro released balloons to honor the animals, and the pastor did private blessings for anyone interested after the service. She also lit one candle for animals past and one for animals present.
“We come almost every year for this,” said Paula Garbo of Willoughby. “It’s so nice. Our pets are our family. They are our babies. I don’t know how else to put it.”
Chardon resident Farrell J. Marx and his wife, Gilli-Ann had their 5-year-old blind ciao rescue, Eathel, blessed.
“It was our first time coming to the blessing service, but the DeJohns took care of our dog, Bertha, who died a year ago,” Gilli-Ann said.