Lily & Dexter's Legacy
In 2021, the Backlund Family partnered with Parachutes for Pets to launch a first-of-its-kind program following the passing of their beloved dog, Lily. In 2024, their cherished dog Dexter also crossed the rainbow bridge and was added to the program — now known as Lily & Dexter’s Legacy.
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This program is dedicated to helping children in care keep their pets during life’s most vulnerable moments. Whether a child is in foster care or undergoing medical treatment, Lily & Dexter’s Legacy ensures their pets can stay by their side — offering comfort, stability, and unconditional love when they need it most.
Lily & Dexter's Legacy Clubhouse
Lily & Dexter’s Legacy Clubhouse takes this program one step further within the Pet Advocacy Center and allow children to have a fun-filled room to bring their pets for important meetings, counselling services, and conversations.
Love For Lily & Dexter Boxes
Each year at Easter, Lily & Dexter Boxes are created for kids and pets through wonderful sponsors like the Backlund family and Calgary Flames. The proceeds from these box purchases are added to the Lily & Dexter’s Legacy Fund.
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In partnership with Team Evelyn Foundation, many of these boxes are donated by the public to be delivered to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Oncology unit.
Pet boxes are also delivered to vulnerable seniors in our community.
Lily & Dexter's Legacy Pet Stories
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In just a matter of hours, our community came together to help Cocoa. He needed to be neutered and have his vaccines updated in order to move into a new home with his young owners — and thanks to your support, we made it happen.
Knuckles young owner had just received an organ transplant when Knuckles developed an abscess around his jaw. With the family being busy at the hospital it went undetected for a few days until his whole face was swollen. When a recovering child asks you to save his cat, you save his cat! We are happy to report Knuckles is happy and healthy today and so is his owner!
December, 2021, Nemo required emergency care to save his life and keep him with his young owner. Nemo had a full recovery.
