December 8, 2007

5th Annual Tribute to Tails Brings Hope and Healing for the Heart

Pet parents from across San Antonio gathered to pay tribute to their four-legged friends during a special memorial service in their honor.

There wasn't a dry eye in the chapel of the First Mexican Baptist Church, Tuesday, December 4, as pet owners remembered their precious animal companions with inspirational music, poems, messages of hope and a special candle lighting.

Pet parents brought photos of their fur babies and placed them both on the altar and Tribute to Tails Memorial Garden.
Tom McGoldrick, owner of Paws in Heaven Pet Crematory, Sattler, Texas, told participants about his love for God's creatures. He said, "Take a moment and think what life would be like without pets. Our pets mean a lot to us and they are part of our lives." McGoldrick also remembered his yellow Labrador Retriever Apollo, who passed away several years ago. "I usually cry when I talk about Apollo. It's been five years that I've shared my story about Apollo during Tribute to Tails and I think I can get through it this time."

LeeAnn Mitchell of San Antonio, shared a beautiful song in honor of her dog Nala. Jesse Almaraz, a local praise and worship minister, also sang an inspiring song in memory of all pets. Plus, a local band, Brothers United in Christ, played beautiful music about heaven.

Pet parents also shared very unique poems and candles were lit to memorialize family fur friends of all kinds, along with living pets, who were invited.

Refreshments were served at the end of the event.

Tribute to Tails is sponsored by SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio, a support group organized for pet owners who lost a pet to illness, old age, accident or displacement. The group meets every 4th Tuesday of the month. For more information about this support group, call (210) 216-0920 or send an e-mail SappyPetLoss@sbcglobal.net.
If you're interested in serving in the 2008 Tribute to Tails
Planning Committee, please e-mail
SappyPetLoss@sbcglobal.net, or call Julie at (210) 216-0920.
Special thanks to:
Tom & Sue Ann McGoldrick, Paws
in Heaven Pet Crematory, Sattler, Texas
Frank & Maureen Ballard
Jim Wiley
Jesse Almaraz
Pastor Clifford Shook
Joe & Janie Almaraz
Pastor Alfonso Flores
Brothers United in Christ Band
Lee Ann Mitchell
Carol Fink and Family
Teri Ealy and Family
Jeanette Mohr
Boni & Charlie Hall
Joel Schmitz
Ronald Rosales
Susie Salazar