Dog’s owners leave heartwarming memorial at Lillydale Lake Heartwarming dog memorial at Lillydale Lake
A grieving Chirnside Park couple whose beloved dog died suddenly has created a beautiful parkside tribute to him, full of surprises for other dogs — and it’s been met with an outpouring of gratitude and support from their community.
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A family’s loving tribute to their beloved dog at Lillydale Lake has been met with an outpouring of love and support from the Yarra Ranges community.
While walking his border collie, Richard Knight spotted a tribute box full of tennis balls, placed in the off-lead area at Lillydale Lake.
The sign says “In loving memory of our boy, Duke” and honoured the “fun-loving and best companion”.
“He loved to be here at the lake and he loved tennis balls. So in his memory please take a tennis ball and spend some quality time with your dog.
“The only payment we ask is that you give your dog a really big hug and treasure every moment with them.”
Mr Knight said: “It’s a lovely thing for someone to do. It’s so sweet.
“I didn’t bring a ball with me, so I took one from the box,” he said.
Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader tracked down Duke’s family — Chirnside Park’s Jacinta Fry and Chris Hayward — through the Yarra Valley Noticeboard Facebook community.
Ms Fry said she was in a flood of tears when Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader reached out, with more than 60 people paying tribute on the post.
“You always worry people will think, ‘Oh it’s just an animal’, but the support has been incredible. I’ve been flooded with messages,” she said.
“It’s an unbelievable response to something I needed to do for me, but it’s touched so many people.
“He was a huge part of the family and I still notice when I come home.
“It’s important to acknowledge it’s (a pets death) a huge loss for people.”
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Ms Fry said Duke’s sudden death at the age of five last month was a shock.
“He and I were playing in the back yard and his heart just gave out,” she said.
“He was the most beautiful dog, so it’s been really tricky.”
Ms Fry said she had seen the idea on social media and decided to pay tribute to her boy.
Ms Fry, who always exercised Duke around the lake, organised a special memorial walk with her husband, close family and friends to say a proper goodbye and left the box as a tribute.