Blogs

NEWS PRESS RELEASE

Contact for more information:

Juli Arnold

Marketing and Communications Manager

juli@luvinarms.org

Colorado Animal Sanctuary Hosts Event to Support Community Impacted by Marshall Fire

Jan. 11, 2022 – The fire that swept through the tight-knit communities of Louisville, Superior, and Unincorporated Boulder County on December 30, 2021 has caused so much destruction and suffering, including the devastating loss of countless beloved companion animals. Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary is hosting a special pet loss grief support group event for members of those communities, giving them the opportunity to share stories, receive much needed emotional support, and connect with some of the Luvin Arms’ animal residents who have survived their own experiences with trauma and grief. 

The event will be facilitated by Richard Mercer, a Superior-based hospice grief counselor who also volunteers as a pet loss grief group facilitator. “My intention for our time together is for us to create a healing place where we might experience some respite and supportive companionship while we heal in our grief, “ said Mercer. “This can only exist when we feel safe.”

The event will be held on Sunday, January 23 at 1:00pm Mtn at the Erie-based Sanctuary. Community members have the option to attend the event virtually.

Luvin Arms is a nonprofit animal sanctuary for abused and neglected farmed animals, based in Erie, Colorado. Luvin Arms is working to provide exceptional lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive care for their animal residents, and to advocate for those who have not been rescued by sharing their residents’ stories to inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.

For more information, please visit: https://luvinarms.org/petlossgriefsupport.

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NEWS PRESS RELEASE

Contact for more information:

Juli Arnold

Marketing and Communications Manager

juli@luvinarms.org

Erie Sanctuary Offers Additional Grief Resources for Community Impacted by Marshall Fire

Jan. 21, 2022 – Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary is offering some special grief resources for all community members who were impacted by the recent catastrophic fire. For the next six Saturdays (Jan. 22-Feb. 26, 12-3PM MST), Luvin Arms will open its doors to all for Connect and Cuddle Time with their animal residents. Cuddling with the Luvin Arms’ residents can alleviate stress, and provides a sense of comfort, hope, and peace during difficult times. 

In addition, Superior-based grief counselor Richard Mercer will facilitate pet loss grief support groups in January and February for those who lost their beloved companion animals due to the fire.

“Our community has been so deeply impacted by this incredibly tragic event,” said Executive Director Shartrina White. “Luvin Arms is a community hub where people truly feel this is a place of sanctuary for all beings.  At the Sanctuary, we are providing Pet Loss Grief Support Groups where participants also get to spend time and hug our rescued residents who love, want, and need the attention. Our residents understand trauma on a deep and profound level because they too have suffered tremendously.”

Luvin Arms is a nonprofit animal sanctuary for abused and neglected farmed animals, based in Erie, Colorado. Luvin Arms is working to provide exceptional lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive care for their animal residents, and to advocate for those who have not been rescued by sharing their residents’ stories to inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.

For more information, please visit: 

https://luvinarms.org/petlossgriefsupport

To sign up for Connect and Cuddle Time, please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8GTpNOmEBplRoe7MrPyqdwqk50lMZRStvyqetm9Vy2aTrxw/viewform

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On May 15 we celebrate the one year anniversary of launching Charlie's Guys. This organization was created through the strength of community. To honor the one year anniversary of its launch, we want to bring together our community. 

Leading up to our anniversary, we will feature stories from families affected by child and sibling loss. To participate, email us (charliesguys@gmail.com) your story along with a picture -OR- post your story and photo to your social media page, using the hashtags #lovedandnotforgotten #charliesguys #oneyearstronger 

Submit your stories by April 28 to be featured. To help us grow our community, share this information with others who want to share their story. 

We look forward to hearing your stories, seeing your loved ones, and sharing them with our community.

www.charliesguys.org

intagram: @charliesguys

twitter: @charlieguys

facebook: Charlie's Guys

email: charliesguys@gmail.com

The summer of 2017 was idyllic. We had everything they could have dreamed of - a happy marriage, a beautiful home in Boulder, Colorado, two adorable sons ages 3.5 and almost 2, and a daughter on the way. We had spent most of the summer poolside in Boulder and beach-bound in Newport Beach, California and Hawaii. Our boys loved to play transformers, and Charlie, our youngest son, would point to airplanes and helicopters in the sky shouting, “the guys!” - an endearing impression of the transformers slogan, “robots in disguise.”

But on August 11, 2017 everything changed for our family. That morning, despite everything seeming normal at 6am when we checked on the boys, Charlie, would never wake up. At 7am we found him lifeless. Despite administering CPR and calling 9-1-1, he would never come back.  He would never get to celebrate his 2nd birthday just one month later. He would never get to meet his baby sister, Victoria, who was born two months after his passing. He would never get to trick-or-treat with his brother as BumbleBee the transformer. We would never get to snuggle him ever again. It would be many months before we would discover that Charlie died from what was believed to be a virus that had no symptoms until it became fatal.

Following this tragedy, there was unspeakable grief, endless tears, and the deepest sadness. It’s true that no parent should have to outlive their children. It seemed impossible for us to get up every morning with insurmountable grief weighing them down. But with a baby on the way, and a surviving son, we had no choice but to brave each new day.

Community took on a new meaning for us after Charlie’s death. During the weeks after, while police investigations ensued and funeral arrangements were made, it was our family and friends who rallied around us to support however possible. Whether bringing us meals, planning play dates with Scottie, or driving me to doctor appointments, there was no act too small to show support. Family and friends from all parts of the country came to grieve with us. And the love and support extended beyond just us as parents. Charlie’s brother was invited to a special scrimmage of CU football team. Our family was honored on the field at one of the CU Buffaloes game. Memorials were created all over the town in honor of Charlie. Even our unborn daughter, was showered with gifts. Every day for nearly a year we received something special in the mail for someone in their family.

With the help of our community, we slowly began to regain strength. And we saw the incredible impact the community support had on our surviving son. Out of our tragedy, an idea was born. In May 2018, we founded Charlie’s Guys - a nonprofit organization aimed at providing experiences and gifts to bereaved siblings as a way to remind them that they are loved and not forgotten.

It’s been over a year since we lost Charlie, and the grieving and healing process is just that - a process. It will never end, it will never be something we conquer. It doesn’t get easier, but we do get stronger. Our desire to help the hurting has never been stronger. Grief is debilitating and if we can help bring a tiny bit of light into something so deafening and dark then we have not only made Charlie’s death purposeful, but we have also made our lives purposeful.

www.charliesguys.org

intagram: @charliesguys

twitter: @charlieguys

facebook: Charlie's Guys

email: charliesguys@gmail.com