"Dogs won't let you sit & be miserable all day' - special pet blessing ceremony for Alzheimers in Much Hoole

A couple who met through their love of dogs are organising a special pet blessing ceremony next month in Much Hoole.

Carla Maloco - originally from Scotland - and wife Maureen - who is from New Jersey - met in the States in the 1990s while both working in the dog industry. After briefly returning to the UK at the time of the Millennium, Maureen, who is known as a ‘dog whisperer’, was head-hunted by dog breeders in Longton, and the couple set up home in Much Hoole.

Sadly, in recent years, both women have had their share of health problems - Carla suffered a massive stroke just two weeks before their wedding - and Maureen, 74, has been diagnosed with Alzheimers.

On dog walks around the village with eight-year-old whippet, Luna, Carla said she has spoken to many people who have been affected by the disease, and who have been given strength by their pets.

She said: “Alzheimers has hit me in the face, it’s unbelievable. But the more people you speak to, the more people you realise are affected by it.

“I bumped into a lady one day whose husband has Alzheimers, and she said ‘you know what keeps me going? It’s this dog’. And it resonated with me.

“When you’ve got a dog, you have to get up in the morning to get them something to eat. You’ve got to take them for a walk - you can’t just sit and be miserable all day - and Luna is funny, because she will also just come and throw toys at me.”

Carla said that Luna, who is not known for barking, has also started alerting her to problems, such as Maureen trying to leave the house in the early hours of the morning. Maureen has also been calmed and refound confidence by interacting with other dogs she has met on walks.

Blessing

In a bid to bring local people with the same experiences together, and to thank the animals for their service, Carla has recruited local minister Mandy Hughes to lead a blessing ceremony at Much Hoole Village Hall on Saturday, September 19. As well as Luna, Carla and Maureen will be taking Homer Simpson, their tortoise.

Anyone who wants to attend is asked to meet on the car park, off Liverpool Road, from 11.30am. Any pet is welcome.

The event will also be attended by representatives from local vets and from the Alzheimers Society.

People with alzheimers and their carers can also have a blessing.

Carla, 68, said: “Alzheimer’s doesn’t get enough attention. You might hear about it in the Daily Mail, about a celebrity with it, but it can be difficult to relate. Hopefully this event will get local people together to talk about their issues, and most importantly, to celebrate pets.”