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Vol. 20, No. 45, Wednesday, August 13, 2025 www.LamontLeader.com
Mundare fire victim fears homelessness with pets this winter burning camper, his most senior dog, 11-year-old Rae, injured her leg when she fell down the stairs. Cook finally had to put her down in March. Now with only two small dogs left, Cook, 65, was able to purchase a new trailer with his insurance money and move back to his old space in the campground. The new camper is smaller, and isn’t a year-round camper like his old one, leaving him with trying to find a home before winter that will accept pets. Cook said it’s impossible. “I’m going to be homeless,” said Cook. “I’ve got dogs and I’m not parting with them.” Cook said he has suffered with intense post traumatic stress disorder since the fire, and needs his dogs for emotional support. “They won’t take dogs in senior’s places and I think that’s sad. It gives people a reason to get up in the morning,” he said. “They add joy and happiness to Mundare resident Dean Cook fears homelessness due to a my life and a realack of senior accommodations that will take pets. son to carry on. I Photo: Jana Semeniuk
BY JANA SEMENIUK Mundare resident Dean Cook’s world was turned upside down on Jan. 19 when his 39-foot camper caught fire and was destroyed. The camper was Cook’s home, in the town’s campground, before his neighbour’s heating device sparked the fire. Cook said he and his three puggle dogs barely got out alive. “It went up so fast,” he said, adding he was asleep at night when the fire started. In his rush to get out of the
don’t think I would want to be here (if I couldn’t have them).” Shahad Bharmal, Chief Executive Officer of the Lamont Health Care Centre confirmed that all senior’s living facilities in L a m o n t County are pet free, including self contained units. “It’s a board decision,” he said. Meanwhile, the benefits of seniors having pets is well known. According to researchers, having a pet provides many positives for seniors including encouraging mobility, lowering blood pressure and allaying anxiety. According to a 2021 article, Dr. Ann Toohey, University of Calgary researcher and adjunct asst. professor, said 40 percent of Canadian adults between the ages of 65 and 69 have a pet and the number drops to 22 percent for those ages 80 and older. Toohey’s work looks for ways to support seniors who are struggling to keep their pets and believes municipal leaders need to create more appropriate housing and policy changes that are
Below: Mundare’s Jan. 19/25 campground fire. Rick Sabin photos.
more socially inclusive to seniors and their pets. In the meantime, Cook’s friend Mary said she is worried about him and also believes more accommodations should be available for seniors who have pets. “Taking care of an animal makes life worth living for a senior who doesn’t have a family,” she said. “I’ve known so many that have had to give up their animals. I know (Dean) is still traumatized from the fire. His dogs are his children. They’re his life.”