Troy Newton has countless cherished memories of wife Angie Ritchie – ones as diverse as you'd expect among any life partners.
Yet there was one constant throughout their many experiences; an overall love of animals and immeasurable affection for dogs in particular.
“Anything to do with dogs, she would always be part of it somehow,” recalls the Troy’s Diner owner, who lost Angie to stomach cancer last month.
Enjoying the lion’s share of that love was their adorable golden-doodle Jasper, whose antics have been shared via his own Facebook page.
There, family, friends and fellow dog lovers have delighted in the pooch’s adventures and regular costumed attire – including a tux for the couple’s 2021 wedding and a Seattle Seahawks jersey to join super-fan mom on game day.
Said Troy, “Honestly, the way she loved Jasper... I always joke she made my dog a wimp because she used to hate bees and run around on the deck screaming that there’s a bee, so now the dog does the same thing (wanting to imitate her).”
So when it came time to carry on Angie’s memory, it was only fitting that animal care came into play.
And that’s exactly what’s now underway, with last week’s launch of Paws for Angie. The GoFundMe page – created by close friend and next door neighbour Crystal Woodworth – has brought in roughly $4,500 in just nine days, with the original goal of $3,500 always raised twice to reflect the community’s generosity.
“The thing about Angie is she was probably the most giving, kindest, most non-judgmental person I’ve ever met,” said Woodworth, a dog owner herself who bonded with Angie during walks with their four-legged ‘cousins’. “She would visit or see something (animal related) and be like ‘I should give to that. Any kind of cause where she saw a need.”
That support included everything from the Guelph Humane Society and other shelters to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (in Puslinch) to a trip to Pelee Island for Pooches and Pinot.
Angie’s dog-loving reputation was well known throughout her neighbourhood, where she knew the names of every dog and forged friendships with many fellow owners.
Even her choice of cartoon characters spoke to her passion for dogs, with a stuffed Snoopy often accompanying her and Troy on trips both near and far.
“I loved it (idea for fundraiser). Honestly, it was a perfect, perfect fit,” said Newton, who now has ‘Be A Little More Angie’ t-shirts for sale to aid the campaign. “It’s everything Angie loved.”
Now exploring animal care and rescue organizations as potential beneficiaries of the funds, Woodworth is leaning towards more local groups and hopes to find the right – pardon the pun – “underdog” to help out.
“We wanted to do something that would keep her memory alive, keep her in people’s thoughts.”
Paws for Angie donations can be made here, while animal care stories will eventually be shared on the fundraiser’s Facebook page.