The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Families, pets gather for blessings
DeJohn Pet Services holds blessing, memorial event
Over a dozen people and a few furry friends gathered at DeJohn Pet Services in Willoughby Hills for a Pet Blessing and Memorial Service.
Pet Care Specialist Sherri DiPietro and Eric Leissa, a pastor of Body of Christ Community Church in Willoughby, facilitated the intimate service on Oct. 13.
DiPietro said the purpose of the event was to honor, celebrate and remember those “special family members.”
Leissa and DiPietro read scriptures and prayed for present pets and their families, sick animals and families who experienced a pet loss.
Group blessings and private blessings were offered. Following the service there was a balloon launch to the Rainbow Bridge, which is defined as the place that animals go to when they die.
Willoughby Hills resident Mary Ellen Buzanski was accompanied by her dog Shadow, who is 14 1/2 years old.
“When we got him, we could not take him places, because he was so strong and he wasn’t disciplined,” said Buzanski, who is 78, years old. “So, I took him to class so I could just walk him down the street. However, he passed all of the tests and he became a therapy dog.”
Shadow participated in Eastlake Library Barks for Books and Lake Metroparks Farmpark Working Dog weekend. He also visited several area nursing homes, she said.
However, Shadow became ill.
“He has a tumor in his lung,” Buzanski said. “He’s been a good dog.”
While she enjoyed the service, she wasn’t prepared to get so emotional.”
DeJohn Funeral Homes Grief Specialist Patty DeJohn also offers a Pet Loss Bereavement Group, a supportive evening for those who have lost a special member of the family.
The group meets every third Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Animal Hospital Inc. at 2735 SOM Center Road. For more information visit patriciadejohn.com or call 440-278-7103.
Group blessings and private blessings were offered. Following the service there was a balloon launch to the Rainbow Bridge, which is defined as the place that animals go to when they die.