Pet memorial proposed on bike path

The Sonoma City Council proved itself pro-pet on Wednesday night, supporting plans by SVDOG (Sonoma Valley Dog Owners and Guardians) to develop a “joyfully reverent” pet memorial project.
The community group spearheading the project didn’t ask much – just that the council approve the “canvas” – two proposed sites for the project. City staff proposed three sites – two along the bike path and one near Fryer Creek site that SVDOG rejected because it is too isolated. City councilmembers said that either of the bike path sites would be acceptable.
The council made clear when the project was first proposed that the city wouldn’t pay for construction, operation nor maintenance of the project, nor should it occupy staff time on an ongoing basis.
SVDOG reviewed some pet memorials in other communities – largely granite slabs with plaques or inscriptions. The group wants to break with that respectful, but perhaps overly-somber sort of installation.
“We are not proposing a cemetery,” said Bob Edwards of SVDOG. “We’re not just talking about animals who have died, we’re talking about helping animals that are alive.”
A key component of the project is that it would be a funding source for non-profits that help animals. Pet-owners could memorialize their pets, both living and dead, and their donations would go to pay for the memorial as well as go toward area non-profits.
SVDOG has already established an oversight committee to work on hammering out the design and details of the project. The next step is for SVDOG to solicit designs for what is described as a collaboration between animal-lovers and artists.
Veterinarian Rhonda Stallings said up to 70 percent of Sonoma Valley homes include pets. Her practice averages eight to 12 pets a week that are euthanized.
“This is hard issue to deal with for people,” said Stallings. “It’s a nice way to have an outlet for grief…and it will be a fun thing.”
Councilmember August Sebastiani suggested the city might be a beneficiary, allowing them to plant more trees around the city.
“As we all know, dogs like trees,” said Edwards.
Once the project is finalized, as well as a structure for raising donations, it will go before the council again. The Community and Fine Arts Commission will also help the council in looking at the artistic design.