Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — Losing a pet is never easy, and a new business in Hearne hopes to make that difficult moment a little gentler for local families. Happy Trails Pet Crematory, owned and operated by Lindsey Hammonds, is now open and serving Hearne and the surrounding area. Hammonds said the idea for Happy Trails first came about a year and a half ago, after realizing families often had to travel out of the county to find pet cremation services. Wanting to offer something closer to home, she began planning a local option focused on care, dignity, and compassion. Construction on the facility moved forward last year, with the concrete slab poured in June and building starting October 16. The building was constructed by Brian Rekieta, owner of Rekieta Welding, and was completed January 28 with the installation of the retort machine. The retort machine, which is used for the cremation process, contains three chambers and allows pets to be cared for properly and respectfully in a time efficient manner. “Pets are family, and they deserve to be treated with love and respect, even after they’re gone,” Hammonds said. Happy Trails Pet Crematory can care for pets of many sizes, from small animals like hamsters and parakeets to larger pets, including pot-bellied pigs. Cremation pricing is based on the pet’s weight. Families may also choose from several keepsake options, including fur trimmings, paw prints, nose prints, urns, and other memorial items. Happy Trails has also partnered with Ramona Aguirre of The Gift Shoppe + Flowers in Hearne to offer pet-themed willow tree figurines, which symbolize love, friendship, healing, and hope. The crematory is currently accepting drop-offs and plans to offer pick-up services in the near future. Hammonds said American Crematory will provide training to ensure every pet is handled with care and dignity. Hammonds said she is grateful for the support she has received in construction and partnerships.