In November, animal advocates, together with New Mexico State Representative Marian Matthews (HD 27) gathered, at El Oso Grande Park in Albuquerque to celebrate the life of Ivy, a 14-year-old black Lab. Animal Protection Voters was honored to attend at the invitation of Representative Matthews.
Last July, Ivy, a service dog for Ms. Rose Romero, perished after a water main broke in northeast Albuquerque. The water caused extensive damage to Ms. Romero’s home, and when the roof collapsed, Ivy was trapped under debris in the garage.
As Ms. Romero, who is visually impaired, and her daughter were evacuated from the home, she repeatedly asked that Ivy be rescued as well. Current law does not require first responders to make efforts at saving service animals. Days went by before Ms. Romero was able to confirm that Ivy had passed away in the garage as a result of the disaster.
At the memorial, as candles flickered next to a photo of the pair, Ms. Romero spoke eloquently about the deep bond she had with Ivy and how her life is forever changed by losing her trusted partner. She also elicited chuckles recalling how Ivy could be insistent and mischievous. As she spoke, neighbors and supporters brought bags of dog food, blankets, and other pet supplies to be donated to local rescue groups.
Representative Matthews, whose district includes the neighborhood where the water main exploded, explained how Ivy’s loss has motivated her to seek greater protections for service animals in the coming 2025 legislative session. Her bill, referred to as “Ivy’s Law”, would require first responders to make reasonable efforts to rescue service animals during emergencies.
Stacy Sutton Kerby, APV’s Chief Government Affairs Officer, offered condolences to Ms. Romero and appreciation for the Representative’s recognition of the importance of protecting animals. “Animals are inextricably woven into our lives and protecting them quite often equates to protecting people. Whether it is the person trying to escape domestic violence seeking safety for themselves along with their companion animal, or someone who relies on a service animal to navigate everyday tasks, when we make their animals safer, we make those people safer,” said Ms. Kerby.
The ceremony ended with the reading of the Rainbow Bridge, by Edna Clyne-Rekhy, who wrote the poem after losing her dog Major. Meant to inspire hope in the face of loss, the verses describe a place free of pain and sickness. When animals cross over the Rainbow Bridge, so the poem goes, they are restored to health and happiness.
Ivy’s memorial, organized by volunteers and friends of Ms. Romero, shone a light on the tight bond between a guide dog and her person. And Ivy’s law, if passed, could avert tragedy for others by securing common-sense protections for service animals in New Mexico.
