The best Christmas gift the Maybury family could have received in 1998 came unexpectedly.

On December 24, 1998, David and Teresa Maybury were amazed to find a letter from the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College.

Unknown to the couple, the vets who had seen Dawn for check-ups during the two years the Maybury family lived in the Durham Region had made a donation to the college in Dawn's name.

"I just wanted to cry," says Teresa about reading the letter from the college. "It was the best Christmas present I could have gotten."

The letter written by Ontario Veterinary College Dean Alan H. Meek goes on to read:

"Dear Mr. Maybury and family

"We have been told that you recently lost your cat, Dawn. Recognizing the bond of affection that existed between you and your pet, Drs. MacLeod and Dorland of the Oshawa Animal Hospital, have made a monetary donation in memory of Dawn to the Pet Trust fund here at the Ontario Veterinary College.

"Pet Trust was established at the Ontario Veterinary College a decade ago to provide funding for investigations into naturally occuring problems and diseases in companion animals. Thanks to the generousity of the veterinary profession, associations, foundations and many members of the general public, more than 120 studies have been completed in such areas as neurology, opthalmology, anesthesiology, blood diseases, cancer, cardiology, dermatology, epilepsy, kidney diseases and orthopaedics. As a result of Pet Trust funding, Ontario Veterinary College researchers and clinicians have made great strides in improving the health and welfare of companion animals.

"While animal health and welfare is our main concern, the results of many investigations carried out with Pet Trust money have implications for human and environmental health.

"We are most grateful for this donation in support of our work and we hope you derive some comfort from this expression of sympathy.

"Yours sincerely, Alan H. Meek."