Leaving Sticks at Cemetery Honoring Dog’s Centennial Passing

In the realm of pet ownership, be it a rodent, avian companion, feline, canine, or any other creature, the profound connection between a human and an animal transcends ordinary bonds. These beings evolve into companions, guardians, life-savers, and integral members of one’s familial construct. Consequently, when the inevitable day of bidding farewell to these cherished companions arrives, the heart shatters into myriad fragments, leaving one bereft of solace.

The individuals who erected a magnificent memorial for their canine companion, Rex, a century ago, undoubtedly experienced the pangs of this heart-wrenching departure.

A distinctive gravestone, fashioned in the likeness of a dog, graces the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Famous for containing the burial sites of illustrious artists and musicians like Leonard Bernstein, Charles Ebbets, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn boasts a particular grave that garners more attention than others. This noteworthy resting place belongs to Rex, a canine who departed a century ago.

Remarkably, a tradition has emerged wherein visitors to the Green-Wood Cemetery bestow sticks upon the dog’s grave as a token of reverence.

Over the years, individuals paying homage to this four-legged friend have adorned his final resting place with sticks. This ritual has seen a surge in recent months, attributed to the cemetery’s sprawling 478 acres becoming a favored sanctuary for exploration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amidst the pandemic, the collection of sticks around Rex’s grave has experienced a notable augmentation.

Stacy Locke, the Communications Manager at Green-Wood Cemetery, shares insights into this touching tradition. “I think people like to believe that there is a dog interred there, and there very well might be. But it’s hard to say,” she conveys. The vicinity beneath a tree, abundant with sticks, becomes a canvas for this gesture. Sticks are delicately placed across his paws, and on occasion, a photograph of a departed pet accompanies the sticks, symbolizing a plea for Rex to watch over their cherished one.

Recently, this centennial canine grave at the Green-Wood Cemetery has captured widespread online attention. Numerous individuals have shared images of the statue, along with the accumulating sticks, across various social media platforms, eliciting an outpouring of heartfelt and poignant responses.

The sentiment resonating on the internet about this poignant tradition is heartwarming and profound.