Tragic Loss Close to Home

When I returned home from my trip on Sunday I became aware of something very heartbreaking-the loss of two wonderful members of the animal community, their unborn child, and five dogs.

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Kel Halterman and her fiance Garrett were on their way to their jobs at a local vet clinic last week when they hit ice, flipped over the guard rail and fell 30 feet.  The impact killed them and their 5 dogs instantly, and though rescuers fought to save their unborn son Sage, he also died shortly after the emergency C-section.

Kel and Garrett volunteered for the same rescue as I do, Cause for Paws Utah, and were very very active in the animal rescue community.  They fostered for us, worked at a vet clinic, and did everything they could to love everyone and give everything.  I met them at the Howl-O-Ween benefit in October and they were so extremely sweet that the few minutes I had spoken with them stuck with me.  I did not know them well, but this loss has been in my mind all week.  We were lucky to have people such as this in our community, and it is incredibly sad to have lost them.

"I finally found someone who's love is bigger than the fear I have of being loved." 

- Kel Halterman in reference to her fiance, Garrett.
Quote from the memorial blog for Kel & Garrett.

Their poor families have gone from planning a wedding and the birth of a child to planning three funerals, and could really use some help with the funeral expenses.  If you go to the memorial blog set up for them you can read their stories, obituary, and donate.  All funds go to funeral expenses, and anything left over will go to the We Care Fund which helps rescue animals.  Kel and Garrett were very dedicated to that cause.

RIP Kel, Garrett, Sage, and the 5 fur-babies lost.