Donations Sought for ‘Paws for Angie’

Troy Newton cherishes countless memories of his wife, Angie Ritchie—moments as diverse as any shared between life partners.

But one thing remained constant: her deep love for animals, especially dogs.

“Anything related to dogs, she was always involved in some way,” recalls Newton, owner of Troy’s Diner, who lost Angie to stomach cancer last month.

The biggest recipient of that love was their beloved golden-doodle, Jasper, whose playful antics have been shared through his own Facebook page. Family, friends, and fellow dog lovers have enjoyed following his adventures—often dressed up in themed outfits, from a tuxedo for the couple’s 2021 wedding to a Seattle Seahawks jersey on game days to match his super-fan mom.

“Honestly, the way she loved Jasper… I always joke that she turned my dog into a wimp,” Troy said with a laugh. “She was terrified of bees and would run around screaming whenever she saw one—now Jasper does the exact same thing because he wanted to imitate her.”

So when the time came to honor Angie’s memory, it was only natural that animals were at the heart of it.

Enter Paws for Angie—a GoFundMe campaign launched last week by close friend and neighbor Crystal Woodworth. In just two weeks, it has raised over $5,500, with the initial $3,500 goal being increased three times due to overwhelming community support.

“The thing about Angie is that she was probably the most giving, kind, and non-judgmental person I’ve ever met,” said Woodworth, a fellow dog owner who bonded with Angie on their walks with their “four-legged cousins.” “She would always see a cause and say, ‘I should give to that.’”

Angie supported various animal organizations, from the Guelph Humane Society and local shelters to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada and even a Pooches and Pinot event on Pelee Island.

Her passion for dogs was well known in her neighborhood, where she remembered every dog’s name and built lasting friendships with their owners. Even her love for cartoons reflected this passion—she often traveled with a stuffed Snoopy by her side.

Newton embraced the fundraiser wholeheartedly. “It was a perfect, perfect fit,” he said. He has also launched ‘Be A Little More Angie’ t-shirts to support the campaign. “It’s everything Angie loved.”

Now, Woodworth is exploring which animal care and rescue organizations will benefit from the funds, focusing on local underdog groups that could use a helping hand—just as Angie would have wanted.