By DeAnn Lubell
Twenty-five years ago, I met the beautiful inside and out Lindi Biggi at her Biggi Gardens in Palm Desert. To this day, it is a haven for exotic birds and rescued animals. Biggi became one of the biggest advocates for animal rights, adoptions, no-kill shelters, microchipping, and most importantly, spaying and neutering. Her dream is to live in a world without dog and cat overpopulation that leads to the euthanasia of innocents.
Biggi took her love of creatures and founded a nonprofit in 2008 dedicated to this dream. It was appropriately named Loving All Animals (LAA). Her vision was to use the organization as a conduit for the welfare of the desert’s animals. She believed that if all the shelters and rescue organizations could work cooperatively, our forgotten pets would be the ultimate beneficiaries. It has been a tough road to this goal, but Biggi’s tenacity is slowly winning the battle. Bringing this crisis to the attention of local, county, and state politicians has not been easy, as animal welfare doesn’t seem to be at the top of their priorities.
“Originally,” said Biggi, “the LAA mission was the establishment of microchip clinics and rectifying the poor conditions of local animal shelters. Today, that mission has expanded to stop the killing of animals. If I leave a legacy, that is the legacy I want to leave. To finally get spaying and neutering of companion animals to a point where the need to murder them will no longer exist.”
Biggi’s goal will ultimately be met through grants, donations, and fundraising. Speaking of fundraising, LAA is gearing up for an over-the-top fun event on Sunday, April 13. “This is one you won’t want to miss,” said Biggi. “We are holding a royal double doggie wedding planned by my friend and LAA board member Barbara Rogers with her two little Dachshunds, Tinkerbell and Sushi, to two lucky doggie bachelors, Sammy and Lucky. I don’t know all the details, but I do know it will be a hell of a lot of fun.”
Rogers is going all out with the festivities. There will be six bridesmaids and six best men (all from Loving All Animals). Biggi is the maid of honor. A makeshift chapel will be constructed at the wedding site. Food, open bar, music, and entertainment will be a part of the $150.00 ticket price. Limited seating, so buy your tickets right away.
“Let’s toast the brides, Sushi and Tinkerbell, and the grooms, Sammy and Lucky, “said Rogers. “They may be dogs, but it doesn’t make the story any less romantic, not to mention it is a double wedding. The doggies met their romantic interests in beautiful Lake Arrowhead. It wasn’t what I would call love at first sight. They barked and snarled and then, after about two months, they fell madly in love. The blushing brides-to-be may even start a new series called The Dogwives of the Desert.”
For more information about Loving All Animals and the upcoming wedding like no other, please call 760-834-7000 or go to www.lovingallanimals.org
