Hayling woman buries pets - and hubby - in garden

- Thu 12th Aug 2004

ANIMAL lover Jean Pyke has turned her back garden into a cemetery for 22 treasured pets ...and her husband Theo.

His ashes - along with a special plaque - form the centrepiece of a bizarre memorial to the cats, dogs and budgies she has loved and lost.

The 2ft high, inscribed Italian marble tombstones have cost former nurse Jean, 82, thousands of pounds.

Each pet has been laid to rest in a specially-made casket with a satin lining, pillow and duvet.

But Jean, who started giving them a fitting send-off in 1960, is not worried about the expense.

She says: "I was not just going to put them in a plastic bag and send them off in a dustbin.

"They were my best friends and we have shared a lot of love. The caskets are beautiful and it's a shame they have to be buried."

When former company director Theo died in July 1992 at 75, he insisted his ashes were placed next to their pets. Jean makes a daily pilgrimage to the shrine, beneath tall trees at the end of her garden in Hayling.
Since 1960 she has buried 19 cats and dogs and three budgies.

And when she dies her £400,000, four-bedroomed detached home will become a cat sanctuary - with all her savings going to 13 animal charities.

Jean says she could not bear the thought of someone else owning the house and demolishing her cemetery.

"My husband died 12 years ago and he wanted to be with the animals," she says.

"A special funeral is held for each pet and a few comforting words said in their memory.

"I have adored animals since I was young and have always loved having them around me. I think I owe all the animals I keep some respect. That is why I keep giving them a fitting burial.

"I don't find the graves depressing - I'd be more depressed if I had nowhere to remember them.

"I don't care one bit if other people do not like what I do - it is my life, my house and my money and I find having them all here a real comfort."

Jean, who currently has a Yorkie Emma and tabby Sapphire, is leaving her house to best friend Yvonne Miller, 69, who has devoted her life to caring for cats.

Yvonne, who runs a sanctuary from her home in nearby Havant, said: "It is a wonderful gesture."

But one of Jean's stipulations is that she will eventually take her place in the unique garden cemetery. She says: "Then I will be next to all my loved ones for ever."

- From Daily Mirror

By forum user, Bruce_Bennett