Woman reunited with her dog’s ashes thanks to Facebook post by Fort Worth-area police
Tabitha Turner was busy unpacking boxes and getting organized in her new home and had no idea that something valuable to her was missing.
Turner had just moved from Hurst to Haltom City in mid-April, and she thought the cedar box with the ashes of Sinjin, her beloved Rottweiler, was among the things she was unpacking, but it accidentally wound up in the pile of trash that Turner put out for pickup.
Someone was going through the trash when the cedar box was discovered, Turner said. The lock was removed, probably because the person thought there was jewelry inside.
Sinjin, named for volleyball player Sinjin Smith, weighed around 175 pounds, and children rode on his back, Turner recalled.
He died of a heart attack at age 6.
“I felt cheated because he was a sweet dog and he was very protective of me,” Turner said. “I displayed Sinjin’s ashes and photos on my fireplace mantle.”
“When I was unpacking stuff, I remember seeing it and setting the box aside. Somehow, I got the box mixed up, covering it with bubble wrap and packing tape. I had no idea that I threw it away,” she said.
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Then, she got a call from her sister-in-law who saw the Facebook post from Haltom City Police Officer Dusty Simmons.
Turner said she had to dig up shot records and photos to show police that she was Sinjin’s owner.
When Sinjin’s ashes were returned, the police department posted on Facebook that it was fortunate the ashes were not tossed in a dumpster or its contents were thrown out.
“It took one person to find the box and care enough to call us. One officer concerned enough to do more than put it in found property. One Animal Control Officer passionate enough to start calling for answers,” the post said.
“One social media post shared by one animal lover that reached one sister.... who reunited a pet with her more than thankful owner. It only takes one person....... please be that one person. #HaltomHasHeart.”