Generally animals come into our lives once we want them most, providing unconditional love and quiet reassurance to get us via the highs and lows. Neo held that particular function in Jennifer Wilson’s life.
“He was simply an previous soul; real, selfless,” Jennifer says. “He obtained me via a lot in my life. We had a bond like no different.”
Honouring the reminiscence of her greatest buddy
When Neo handed away from most cancers final yr, Jennifer was heartbroken. Her greatest buddy for the previous six years was gone.
“I beloved all of the little moments; simply cuddling up subsequent to him,” Jennifer says, reflecting on her favorite reminiscences. “I beloved the way in which he checked out me. That reminiscence will endlessly be ingrained in my head; the pure look of affection in his eyes.”
Because the date of what would have been his adoption day grew nearer, she knew she wanted to do one thing to honour the reminiscence of the canine who had given her a lot.
“We had not too long ago come up on his ‘gotcha day’ and we wished to make a donation in his reminiscence in order that his reminiscence may reside on and do good on this world,” Jennifer says. “We stumbled upon the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s 50/50 lottery and thought that’s a enjoyable thought – an superior fundraising thought – and thought we’d take part.”
She bought tickets for the Spring Attracts for Paws 50/50 Lottery in Neo’s reminiscence and was surprised when she realized a number of weeks later that she had gained over $125,000. His reminiscence had lived on in an sudden means that not solely modified Jennifer’s life, however the lives of numerous animals in want.
“I used to be perplexed,” Jennifer says, recounting how she took a taxi to her boyfriend’s work to inform him the information in individual. “It’s positively going to make an enormous distinction in our lives, as I’m positive the remainder of the cash goes to make an enormous distinction in a number of animals’ lives.”
Remembering an previous soul
Neo was one in every of a form. The blue heeler beloved to go to the pet retailer to pick his favorite deal with when Jennifer would go to choose up a bag of pet food. He beloved walks, and simply the point out that Jennifer’s mother was coming over for a stroll had him racing round with pleasure.
He additionally had a factor for horses. Seeing an precise horse, was in fact, paws down his favorite. However even seeing horses on TV was sufficient to make him bounce off the sofa in anticipation.
“He LOVED horses! All you needed to say was ‘horses’ and he perked up and would simply mild up,” Jennifer says, holding one in every of her favorite images of Neo, taken on the barn.
Neo had a means of connecting with different animals, providing them reassurance and friendship. Jennifer and her boyfriend have rescued a number of animals through the years, and Neo was all the time heading up the welcome committee. A sniff and a tail wag advised his new furry housemates that good folks lived there.
“He beloved once we had rescue canines, or different animals in, simply attending to know them. He made them really feel extra snug,” Jennifer says.
Starting a brand new chapter
Jennifer is slowly getting used to life with out Neo. Though he’s not by her aspect, maybe he’s nonetheless searching for her. His sudden legacy implies that Jennifer can save as much as purchase the interest farm she’s all the time dreamed of, so she will be able to proceed to assist animals.
Better of all, the lottery additionally helps animals in want. The variety of animals coming into the care of the Ontario SPCA this yr has elevated, and these funds assist present shelter and care. As a registered charity that doesn’t obtain annual authorities funding, the Ontario SPCA will depend on the generosity of our supporters to vary the lives of animals.
“It’s a bit likelihood that may be life-changing for you, however you recognize for a proven fact that it’s going to be life-changing for animals,” Jennifer says of taking part within the 50/50 lottery.
She encourages others to think about adoption to offer an animal a second likelihood. It’d simply be life-changing for you, too.
“It’s simply such an incredible factor it may be for them, and also you. It’s a chance to forge a bond like no different,” she says. “You come into one another’s lives if you want one another most.”
To see animals accessible for adoption, go to, ontariospca.ca/undertake
To buy tickets for the Ontario SPCA’s Fall Attracts for Paws 50/50 Lottery, go to ontariospcalottery.ca
