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Candlelight vigil for Safe Haven dogs draws tears

A candle was lit for each of the 19 dogs put down at Safe Haven last week as the no-kill shelter closed its doors. Nearly 100 people attended the event honoring the canines. BY DAN COOK
Dan Cook
November 22, 2013
Rescue advocate Karli Swope lights the 19 candles honoring dogs euthanized at Safe Haven. BY DAN COOK
Terri Ferrell, founder of Josie's Place Cat Rescue, which rescued 81 cats from Safe Haven, speaks at the vigil. Listening are (l-r) Karli Swope, Jon Crenshaw and Cindy Woods. BY DAN COOK
Old and young alike attended the event to honor the dogs. Shown are (l-r) Chase Riley,10, Dominick Crenshaw,8, and Bethany Riley, 8. BY DAN COOK
Rescue advocate Karli Swope reads "Not just a dog." BY DAN COOK
Kim Nuttall is emotional during the candlelight vigil. BY DAN COOK
Former Safe Haven director Cindy Woods speaks about the love that the dogs gave to each person that knew them. BY DAN COOK
D.J.'s Pet Depot co-owner Debbie Toumey blows out a candle honoring one of the 19 dogs. BY DAN COOK
James Botti brought his Safe Haven rescue Harper, rescued by Botti in February. BY DAN COOK
Amy Griffith blows out a candle for Grayson, one of the 19 dogs killed at Safe Haven. BY DAN COOK
Swayze Rogers, 2, of Milton shows the candle she carried honoring the 19 canines. BY DAN COOK

Nearly 100 people attended a candlelight vigil in memory of 19 dogs put down at Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary just before the facility closed its doors.

Rescue advocate Karli Swope thanked the crowd Nov. 20 at DJ's Pet Depot on Route 1 in Lewes and led the group in readings to remember the canines. Tears flowed as she read the anonymous poem "Just a Dog." The crowd then recited the Rainbow Bridge, a poem to soothe grieving dog lovers.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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