The life of a homicide victim who loved animals will be celebrated in Fort Collins on Saturday, June 6 with the Linnea Memorial Pet Walk & Adopt-a-thon.
The event, to be held at Springs Canyon Community Park, will raise funds and create awareness about animals in need, find displaced animals permanent homes and feature a myriad of “pet friendly” activities.
The event is in memory of Linnea Dick, who was murdered on May 30, 2008. Her killer was arrested days after the homicide and was sentenced to life in prison on July 30.
Dick was especially devoted to animals, rescuing many in need.
During her funeral service, her family remembered her love for her pets, including her dogs, Lage and Bentley; her cats, Desi, Kahjuh and Teensil; and her lizard, Van Gogh.
Lage and Bentley, along with Linnea’s parents, Opaland Don Dick, will lead the walk, according to Linnea’s sister, Andrea Gliva.
The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon.
The one-mile walk will be from 9 to 10 a.m. during which participants will walk with their leashed pets.
Additional activities will include pets who can be adopted, chihuahua races, a pet psychic, Angelyn “the Amazing Deaf Cattle Dog”, dog agility demonstrations, obedience trainers, games such as “doggy musical chairs”, and a live band – the Prairie Dog Companion.
Gliva said that Angelyn, the cattle dog, is owned by Eric Melvin and responds to hand signals.
Gliva said community support and sponsorship of the Linnea Memorial Pet Walk & Adopt-a-thon has been overwhelming.
“I am very excited and humbled by the outreach of community support and involvement in this event to honor my sister and what she believed in,” said Gliva.
Participating vendors and animal rescues include PetCo, Camp Bow Wow, Arfy’s Mercantile, The Dog Club, Raintree Animal Hospital, Your Paw Squad, Dog Owner’s General Store, Animal Rescue Connections, PUPS, Duncan’s Place, Fort Collins Cat Rescue, Animal House and Friends of Greyhounds.
Animal Rescue Connections, Inc., of Greeley, is the lead sponsor of the memorial pet walk. Animal Rescue Connections is a non-profit, no-kill pet rescue which was co-founded by Linnea’s aunt, Rose Carroll.
Another co-founder of Animal Rescue Connections, Cathy Ross, said the organization is honored to help sponsor the event.
“Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Linnea before her untimely death, I have gotten to know what a kind and caring person she was through her family and friends,” said Ross. “I am honored to be a part of keeping her memory alive through this event and adoptions we do with Animal Rescue Connections.”
Gliva said planning for the memorial walk and adopt-a-thon began in January. She said her family believes the memorial is a way to honor her sister and simultaneously help animals she loved so much.
She added: “It has been a healing process for me.”
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
