People Behind The Pet Cemetery, Mrs. Anne Elizabeth Blochin, Part IV

Some sources are telling me that there is a possibility that the overgrown pet cemetery was owned by Kennel Inn in Aurora, and now is changing hands, possibly to be developed in the future.

May I suggest street names, Anne Elizabeth Blochin Street, Victor Blochin Street and Happy Woodland Avenue. It was their land after all.

Nothing for me to rewrite here today what was written in The Aurora Era in 1941 and 1946.

Aurora Lady Writes New Book On Dogs

“A new book, “That Dog of Yours,” has appeared on the book stands this month. It is written by Anne Elizabeth Blochin of Aurora.

Mrs. Blochin is the wife of Victor Blochin of Bencruachan Kennels, Aurora, and she and her husband are internationally known breeders of Sealyham and West Highland terriers.

Situated on ther farm is “Happy Woodlawn pet cemetery,” which is known throughout the American continent. Before her marriage, as Elizabeth Wilson, Mrs. Blochin was widely know for her short stories and articles.

Her new book deals with the raising and care of dogs and is written both for the ordinary dog lover and for fanciers.“

REFERENCE: The Aurora Era, Aurora, Ontario, Serving Aurora and District, Thursday Oct 23rd, 1941.

And then there was a tragedy. The press release about Mrs. Blochin death outlines her life in detail.

Dog Fancier, Author Dies, Was Long Ill

“Author, editor and dog fancier, Mrs. Victor Blochin of Siverdale Farm, Aurora, died in St. Michael’s hospital, Toronto, Thursday following a lengthy illness. Writing under maiden name of Anne Elizabeth Wilson, she was well known in publishing circles.

Mrs. Blochin first entered the publishing field in New York after she left college. Moving to Canada, she joined the Musson Book Co., subsequently transferring to the Maclean Publishing Co. where she was associate editor of Canadian Homes and Gardens and Mayfair magazines. First editor of Chatelaine Magazine, following its inception, she resigned from this post to become the wife of Victor Blochin.

All through her married life on Springdale Farm, Mrs. Blochin maintained her keen interest in dogs. Entering the breeding field, the Blochins pioneered with West Highland Terriers and scientific dog feeding. Their kennels and “Happy Woodland” pet cemetery are famours with dog lovers throughtout the country. Mrs. Blochin never lost her interest in writing and was the frequent author of articles published in magazines both in Canada and the United States. Also products of her pen are two books, Eager Footsteps, a volume of verse, and That Dog of Yours, a comprehensive textbook on dogs.

Resuming her work in publishing, Mrs. Blochin joined the editorial department of MacMillan’s of Canada in 1943. She retired in January of this year, when she became ill.

Born in Kentucky, Mrs. Blochin was the daughter of Robert Burns Wilson, famous poet and painter. Her mother, a member of the Hendrick family, was an accomplished concert singer from a family which had taken an active part in the social and political life of the southern state.

Surviving Mrs. Blochin are her husband, Victor, and her aunt, Mrs. Lloyd Harris, of Oakville.

Funeral service was held from St. John’s Roman Catholic church, Newmarket, on Saturday with interment at Aurora cemetery.“

REFERENCE: The Aurora Era, Aurora, Ontario, Serving Aurora and District, Thursday Oct 24th, 1946.

One small bit of strange information related to the pet cemetery in Aurora will be published next and that will conclude my research. I would like to get some photographs of the place, but I will need permission.

Read Who Was Mrs. Capstick, Pet Cemetery, Part V.

Anna Lozyk Romeo
Aurora, ON