Tonight on ‘Closer Look’: A routine accident uncovers a two-decade-old mystery in Burlington.
For Valerie Stevenson, the urn resting on her bedroom dresser has held deep sentimental value for 20 years. Inside, she believed, were the ashes of her beloved cat, Jewels, who passed away two decades ago. Like many Ontario pet owners, Stevenson had opted for cremation—a choice made out of love and respect.
But everything changed recently when one of her current cats knocked the urn to the floor.
Amid the scattered remains, Stevenson spotted something that stopped her cold: a bone-shaped tag inscribed with the name “Sparky.” Sparky, as it turns out, was not her cat—and likely not a cat at all.
After contacting the cremation company that handled Jewels’ remains, Stevenson was given a disheartening answer: no records remain from 20 years ago. But they confirmed what Stevenson already suspected—the ashes weren’t feline.
“It was a shock,” Stevenson said. “I’ve been honoring the memory of my cat for two decades—and it turns out I’ve been keeping a stranger’s dog on my dresser.”
Now, Stevenson is on a mission. She’s hoping to locate Sparky’s rightful owner and, against the odds, perhaps uncover what happened to Jewels’ actual remains.
As Ontario continues to rely on pet cremation as a common farewell ritual, Stevenson’s story raises uncomfortable questions about accountability and transparency in the pet aftercare industry.
“This isn’t just about ashes,” she said. “It’s about trust.”
Tune in tonight on Closer Look for the full story, and the emotional journey that’s only just beginning.
