To meet a growing need, Foothills Humane Society (FHS) will renovate and expand its memorial garden at the Little Mountain Road shelter to provide a permanent resting and memorial place for cherished community pets.

The shelter has always been a labor of love by the community, said FHS president Robert Then. Community pet owners have told us they want a place where they can feel confident of a permanent and appropriate place to inter ashes and memorialize their beloved companions. An expanded memorial garden at the shelter will create a serene place for reflection and rest to meet that need.

Design plans donated by landscape architect Hunter Marks of Hendersonville feature the old home site chimney and include paths and seating areas surrounded by a variety of plantings.

Tryon House principal Mary Prioleau has stepped forward to raise the lead gift to build the garden. Tryon House has designated December 5 through 9 as Foothills Humane Society Week in celebration of our pets and everything Foothills does for our community, said Prioleau. Tryon House is proud to help get the memorial garden project off the ground.

Plans will be unveiled at a party open to all animal lovers on December 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Trade Street store in Tryon.&bsp; Food, refreshments, live music, door prizes, a raffle and silent auction items will be featured. All purchases that evening will be 10 percent off regular prices. In addition, Tryon House will donate three percent of all sales proceeds from December 6 to 9 to benefit the project.

The memorial garden will not only provide peace of mind and solace to pet owners, but ongoing memorial donations will help take care of the shelter animals said FHS operations director Dot Moyer. Foothills really appreciates the Tryon House folks with coming up with this great fundraiser. We hope the community will come out and enjoy the great fun and shopping bargains on December 5.

Work on the memorial garden is planned for February. If you are interested in helping create the garden or want a memorial ready for the spring dedication ceremony, contact Foothills Humane Society volunteer coordinator Paula Mullinax at 828-863-4444 or foothillshelter@windstream.net.