2008 Woodie Awards
Not all dogs go to heaven
Animals find sanctuary in an earthly place close to their master's heart
By: Marna Beilby
Issue date: 10/30/03 Section: City News
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Tiny coffins that look like they were made for babies decorate the walls of this little aclove. On the carpet, are arranged tombstones with names like 'Rex' and 'Fifi,' a dead giveaway that this place isn't for humans or babies, but for animals, mostly pets who were loved more than life and/or are part of a family.
"There are about 28,000 pets buried here," Rosalie Camacho, a employee for four years, said, about Pet Haven Cemetery located in Gardena.
Pet cemeteries are not just a Stephen King horror flick. In fact, pet cemeteries are not new; Pet Haven was founded in 1948.
Pet cemeteries have found a niche in society. They provide condolence for those pet owners that take their pets very seriously.
Nicole Gant, English major, has owned a hamster for two and a half years.
"I like him a lot but I don't think he likes me very much because I bug him," she said.
Gant says that she understands why people might pay large amounts of money to have their pet cremated or buried, but it doesn't necessarily mean that she would do it for her pet.
"Not for a hamster; maybe if I had a dog or cat that had been in the family for a long time."
In today's society, where pet owners will dress their dogs and cats up in tiny sweaters and movie stars are known to only feed their pet bottled water, it is only fitting that they have a burial plot.
Not many students know about pet cemeteries but for those who do, they think this place is the best place to put a pet that has been with them for awhile..
"I have a cat here whom I visit regularly," DJ Mayeda, music major, said. "I'm so glad that there is a place I can take my best friend to sleep eternally and among friends."
Pet Haven has had a variety of pets make their way to its doors.
"We get some pretty unusual pets here. Anywhere from iguanas to rabbits," Camacho said. "The most unique pet I think we have here is a monkey."
Pet Haven does cremations for animals' too.
"There are about 28,000 pets buried here," Rosalie Camacho, a employee for four years, said, about Pet Haven Cemetery located in Gardena.
Pet cemeteries are not just a Stephen King horror flick. In fact, pet cemeteries are not new; Pet Haven was founded in 1948.
Pet cemeteries have found a niche in society. They provide condolence for those pet owners that take their pets very seriously.
Nicole Gant, English major, has owned a hamster for two and a half years.
"I like him a lot but I don't think he likes me very much because I bug him," she said.
Gant says that she understands why people might pay large amounts of money to have their pet cremated or buried, but it doesn't necessarily mean that she would do it for her pet.
"Not for a hamster; maybe if I had a dog or cat that had been in the family for a long time."
In today's society, where pet owners will dress their dogs and cats up in tiny sweaters and movie stars are known to only feed their pet bottled water, it is only fitting that they have a burial plot.
Not many students know about pet cemeteries but for those who do, they think this place is the best place to put a pet that has been with them for awhile..
"I have a cat here whom I visit regularly," DJ Mayeda, music major, said. "I'm so glad that there is a place I can take my best friend to sleep eternally and among friends."
Pet Haven has had a variety of pets make their way to its doors.
"We get some pretty unusual pets here. Anywhere from iguanas to rabbits," Camacho said. "The most unique pet I think we have here is a monkey."
Pet Haven does cremations for animals' too.