Former tenants of 6 Jewell St. in Jay, from left, Laurie Tarbush, Scotlyn Tarbush, Red Barrett and Nate Pascal, look toward the retaining wall Monday afternoon where a plaque honors the dog and nine cats lost in an apartment house fire there Sept. 3, 2024. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

JAY — Families gathered Monday afternoon to unveil a plaque honoring pets they lost last fall in an apartment house fire at 6 Jewell St.

Landlord Nathan Caruso said the pastor who planned to take part in a dedication service at the site had to back out because of his wife’s health issues. “Unfortunately, we won’t have the benefits of the Lord’s blessing today,” he said.

Former tenants Nate Pascal, Red Barrett, Laurie and Josh Tarbush and their daughter Scotlyn, and Roger Begin made their way with Caruso along a narrow path in the snow to the retaining wall where plastic sheeting covered the newly installed plaque.

Engraved on the plaque are the words: “In the late evening hours of September 3, 2024, these beloved pets were tragically lost to the 6 Jewell Street fire.”

Under a picture of a dog is the name Shadow and below is a cat where names of nine cats who perished are inscribed. They are Baddy, Benny, Big Baby Chips, Camo, Casino, Gambles, Gracie, King Serl and Pollie. At the bottom is Isaiah 11:6, a Bible verse that describes a time when animals will live together peacefully and a child will lead them.

The name of each pet was solemnly read followed by reminiscences, photos and tears.

Thankfully, Begin did not lose any pets, Caruso said. “Three or four dogs made it out.” Pascal lost four cats, the Tarbush family lost their dog and two cats, and Jared Duguay lost three cats in the fire, he said.

“I just wanted to do something for the tenants after losing their pets and all their possessions,” he said.

Caruso said he was at his home in Texas when the fire broke out that evening and a neighbor called him with the news.

“Thankfully, no tenants were injured,” he said.

“One dog, nine cats and some smaller pets, too, were lost,” he said.

“I tried to find the best time for this, but I am only here for 48 hours,” Caruso said. “I was really hoping we were going to have a small service. But, you know, things happen.”

Caruso plans to clean the property up in the spring and look at options for more housing. He said he would allow visits to the site indefinitely, and even if it was sold he would try to work something out with the new owners.