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CNN Sunday Morning

Artist Creates a Chapel for Pets

Aired August 26, 2001 - 09:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN ANCHOR: Some art is created for the eye, and other forms play to the ear. This next story is a creation designed for the heart.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And not just yours. It's also a labor of love for your pet, a place where you and your dog can find solidarity in life and seek solace in death. We get that story from reporter Yvette Czigli in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

YVETTE CZIGLI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The congregation arrive. In this special place, Vermont artist Stephen Huneck has created a sanctuary for dogs.

On first glance, it's a typical chapel. But take a closer look. The weather vane, a four legged angel. Everything in this chapel is for and about dogs.

The idea came from Huneck's own love of the animals and wanting to help people deal with the death of a beloved pet.

STEPHEN HUNECK, ARTIST: And I felt the chapel was a wonderful way of sort of clearing the air, making a new start.

CZIGLI (on camera): It took three years to build the chapel and even Huneck admits he was a bit concerned about how people would respond to it.

HUNECK: I didn't know what effect it would have on people, if it would anger them or make them happy or whatever. But we opened it up and people were thrilled.

CZIGLI (voice-over): So thrilled, some from as far as Alaska have come to both celebrate and grieve lost pets. On this remembrance wall, photos and messages, a tribute to pets that are gone.

CINDY GANION, PET LOVER: Well, you can see on the picture here, I called him bucket of love.

CZIGLI: Cindy Ganion's (ph) dog, Gus, died in February.

GANION: I miss him. I've been spreading his ashes. I had him cremated, and that's been very helpful for me. CZIGLI: She comes to the chapel, a place they visited together, to help cope with her sadness.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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