Death is an unavoidable aspect of life. It’s something everyone experiences, and while we can’t escape it, it serves as a poignant reminder for us to treat one another with kindness and live in a way that leaves the world longing for our presence.
Though pets may not process their experiences or communicate like we do, they have a profound talent for exhibiting their love and devotion to us, their humans.
This deep bond is one of the reasons we miss them dearly, but it also ensures that we hold their memories close throughout our lives.
A Stroll in the Park Becomes a Mystery to Unravel
Zach Medlin, a West Monroe resident in Louisiana, often visits Kiroli Park with his Staffordshire terrier, Serena.
They both savor lengthy strolls and the thrill of chasing ducks (which is primarily Serena’s pastime), yet despite their regular visits to the same location, Medlin had never taken notice of a gravestone in the park—until one particular day.
While Serena played with ducks, Medlin spotted an unusual stone partially obscured by leaves and branches. Intrigued, he decided to channel his inner detective and investigate further. After clearing away the debris, he unveiled a gravestone.
The sight of the gravestone shattered his heart.
His first thought was about why the dog’s owners had chosen to lay him to rest in a park. Yet after deciphering the inscription, it was clear to Medlin that this dog had been cherished.
“Buddie, 1928 – 1941 / Born a dog, Died a gentleman”
The inscription may be brief, but it carries more emotional weight than volumes of text. As Medlin expressed to The Dodo:
“It warms my heart to know that Buddie helped his owners through the Great Depression […] Every dog deserves a grave marker.”
Buddie: A Heroic Spirit or a Beloved Companion?
While Medlin was keen to learn more about what was etched on the gravestone, Lora Peppers took the research a step further.
She shared the memorial, “Buddie The Dog,” on the “Find A Grave” website, including photographs of the gravestone and her findings regarding Buddie.
Essentially, two main narratives circulate about the dog resting in the park.
One narrative suggests that Buddie was the mascot and hero of a local Boy Scouts summer camp. According to Lora’s memorial:
“One of the scouts swam away from the group and ran into trouble. Buddie the dog started barking frantically to alert everyone and then dove into the lake. The boys were able to rescue the drowning scout thanks to Buddie’s barks. Sadly, Buddie didn’t survive.”
Unfortunately, Lora couldn’t locate any supporting evidence for this narrative, such as articles or documents, so it remains a legend rather than a confirmed tale.
What Peppers did manage to uncover, however, was that a couple who owned an Irish Setter named Buddie—Mr. and Mrs. Jones—frequented Kiroli Park, which likely influenced their decision to bury him there.
The truth may remain a mystery, but it has sparked a community connection, as seen in Medlin’s Facebook post, with one commenter noting:
“Incredible. 80 years later and Buddie’s memory has united 29,000 strangers all around the world. What a good boy!”
