IN THE PIPELINE:Appreciate the place pets have in our lives

It’s been a rough couple of weeks for professional sports and an even rougher time for quarterback Michael Vick’s dogs. I know, I know — he’s presumed innocent until proven guilty. That said, 18-page federal indictments don’t come easy, so for many of us (and devoid of any Vick denials) it’s not too big a leap to accept that the brutal acts did probably happen with his approval/involvement.

In the face of the savage behavior outlined in the indictment, I was drawn to a place in Huntington Beach that stands as a testament to people who love their dogs (and other pets) — a place that also helps soothe the feelings of loss that accompany the death of a pet. It’s the Sea Breeze Pet Cemetery, and while I doubt you’d ever see Michael Vick or any of his cronies here, you will find sensitive people dedicated to a common cause.

Sea Breeze, which is at Beach Boulevard and Yorktown Avenue, was opened on three spacious acres in 1961 and today is the only pet cemetery in Orange County. Today it’s run by Alan and Brenda Weaver (the original owners were on Alan’s side of the family) and Brenda explained one recent morning some of the history and logistics of the peaceful little place created to help celebrate the memory of a family pet.

For instance, she detailed how, if you trace the history of the in-ground markers from oldest to most recent, the pet names change with the time — so Spot, Fluffy and Snowball gradually give way to Britney, Amanda and Tyler. Brenda showed me where some of John Wayne’s family pets are laid to rest, along with the dogs of Richard and Karen Carpenter (yes, the Carpenters) and, of course, Sarge the tough K9 Marine Corps World War II battle dog. Sarge (Major Von Luckner III) even has a shrine inside that includes his flag, Purple Heart and Silver Star medals and a telegram from then-Gov. Edmund “Pat” Brown offering his sorrow and praise in light of the dog’s passing. The sturdy 20-year-old pooch saved nine wounded men by dragging them to safety during battles and even wore a silver plate in his head, a souvenir of a wartime injury in the South Pacific. Sarge is laid to rest directly in front the main building, and a decorated statue of him sits at attention off to the left.

Strolling the peaceful, well kept, much-decorated grounds, Brenda shows me the exotic pet area, which includes tributes to raccoons, a skunk, a turtle, rabbits — even an 89-year-old bird (Katie Teeter -- 1883-1972) and a chicken (inscription: “Annabel — the hen I grew up with.”) But make no mistake, Sea Breeze is mostly about dogs and cats, and the simple inscriptions tell stories of family pets that were truly part of the family.

“To our baby girl Gigi — be at peace with God.” “Our little angel, Krystal — we miss you and love you.” “God has called Snoopy to come home.” Brenda also adds that summer is the busiest time for Sea Breeze, as heat stroke affects so many animals.

If you’re wondering, cremations start at about $65 and for a full-on plot, marker, etc., everything out-the-door-and-in-the-ground is about $1,000. There’s also a small chapel if a family feels like conducting a service with relatives, clergy and friends. Judging from a review of the many markers here, it seems that most families secure a plot for all of their pets, not just the most prominent. Dogs are laid to rest beside hamsters, rats, and, of course, cats. While there is ample space today, Brenda suggests that at some point the property will be full.

Pet cemeteries have an interesting history in this country. The oldest known was discovered in Green County, Ill., by archaeologist Stewart Schrever, who believed pets were interred there around 6500 BC. The oldest operating Pet Cemetery in the United States is the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in New York, established in 1896, and the largest Pet Cemetery in the United States is Bide-A-Wee Home Assn., also in New York.

Whether you have a pet or not, a visit to Sea Breeze is an interesting, calming stop that makes you appreciate the part that pets play within a household. It’s also a poignant counterbalance to the brutal news of late. So stop by and take a short walk around. And by all means, pay your respects to Sarge. He’s a hero, after all.

View a slide show I created from Sea Breeze Pet Cemetery here.

My family and I got up early to go watch the cows run on the beach during the stunt/promotion for the Orange County Fair last week. It was off-the-wall, crazy and fun — just the sort of thing I think Huntington Beach should do every so often to remind people that the place doesn’t take itself too seriously. The media attention was incredible too — certainly better than making headlines for the now-infamous “Naked man” incident. Here’s to more silliness in the future.