<\/p>\n
Many people who have had a pet die want to commemorate their companion\u2019s life, but for Kaila Cruz of Ignacio, this expanded to include a gift to the Durango community.<\/p>\n
In January, Cruz joined the ranks of animal owners whose companions died in road accidents when her dog, Zyla, was struck and killed on Colorado Highway 151 near Ignacio.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure she just got out and her spirits got the best of her and she went to find a friend,\u201d said Cruz, a veterinary technician at Centennial Equine Sports Medicine in Pagosa.<\/p>\n
Cruz initially planned to purchase tennis balls and a container to place at the Durango off-leash dog park, an idea gathered from Pinterest, she said.<\/p>\n
It seemed like an appropriate tribute to Zyla\u2019s playful and friendly nature, Cruz said. \u201cShe was addicted to fetching tennis balls, that was her thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then, she decided to post her plan on Facebook and allow the community to contribute as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither way, I was going to fund it,\u201d she said, but the response on social media has been overwhelming.<\/p>\n
So far, she has gathered more than 50 tennis balls along with a smattering of other toys. And, others shared stories of their lost companions with Cruz.<\/p>\n
\u201cReading some people\u2019s stories, it made me tear up, because you can relate to it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This effort is particularly touching to Cruz\u2019s mother, Paula Wiesel, office manager for 105.3 FM XRock. Wiesel did not know of Kaila\u2019s plan or her role in collecting the donated items until after the post went live.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe informed me via text message that she had nominated me for people to drop balls off here,\u201d Wiesel said. So Wiesel shared the post on XRock\u2019s Facebook page and began collecting donations.<\/p>\n
Cruz plans to take the donated toys to the dog park Wednesday, Zyla\u2019s birthday, and anyone who would like to contribute can drop off items to Wiesel at XRock\u2019s station at 1137 Main Ave., or to Levi Gray, Cruz\u2019s boyfriend, at JP Tire at 1776 Main Ave., she said. The park is just west of the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 west and U.S. Highway 550, on the west side of the Animas River.<\/p>\n
Community members are encouraged to use the toys with their animals to commemorate Zyla\u2019s life, Wiesel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can actually just go and take their dogs down there and enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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