Death is an inevitable part of life—something no one can avoid. It serves as a reminder to be kind to one another, to leave behind a reason for the world to remember and miss us when we’re gone.
Our pets may not think or express themselves the way we do, but they have an incredible way of showing love and affection to their owners.
And that’s why we miss them so much, why they remain in our hearts long after they’re gone.
A Walk in the Park Turns into a Mystery
Zach Medlin, a resident of West Monroe, Louisiana, frequently visits Kiroli Park with his Staffordshire terrier, Serena.
They enjoy long walks together, with Serena often chasing ducks, though Medlin had never noticed anything unusual about the park—until one day.
As Serena played nearby, Medlin spotted something peculiar.
A piece of stone was partially hidden beneath leaves and branches. Intrigued, he decided to investigate. After clearing away the debris, he uncovered a gravestone.
The Discovery of Buddie’s Grave
The sight of the gravestone touched Medlin deeply. He wondered why someone had chosen to bury their dog in the park, but as he read the inscription, one thing became clear: this dog was deeply loved.
The gravestone read:
“Buddie, 1928 – 1941 / Born a dog, Died a gentleman.”
Though the words were few, they carried immense meaning. As Medlin told The Dodo, “It warms my heart to know that Buddie carried his owners through the Great Depression. All dogs deserve a grave marker.”
Buddie: A Brave Hero or a Beloved Pet?
Curious about Buddie’s story, Medlin’s discovery sparked further investigation. Lora Peppers, a local historian, took things to the next level by posting the memorial of “Buddie the Dog” on the Find A Grave website, sharing pictures of the gravestone and her findings.
There are two stories about Buddie’s life. One tale says Buddie was the hero of a local Boy Scouts summer camp.
According to this version, a scout got into trouble while swimming, and Buddie, barking furiously to alert others, dove into the lake.
The other boys heard Buddie’s warning and saved the drowning scout, but Buddie tragically didn’t survive.
However, no evidence has been found to confirm this version of events.
Peppers did, however, discover another possibility: Buddie belonged to a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, who owned an Irish Setter. Mr. Jones frequently visited Kiroli Park with his dog, which may explain why Buddie was buried there.
Buddie’s Legacy
Though the true story of Buddie might never be fully known, his memory lives on.
Medlin’s Facebook post about his discovery sparked a conversation that united thousands of people. One commenter captured the sentiment beautifully:
“Incredible. 80 years later, Buddie’s memory has united 29,000 strangers all around the world. What a good boy!”