A little known fact is that London's Hyde Park also has a pet cemetery.
It is tucked away in a little corner that very few people, even locals, know about.
The first pet was buried in the cemetery in 1881. It was a beloved Maltese named Cherry.
Cherry's family, the Barned's, was friends with the Gatekeeper at Hyde Park and they asked Mr Winbridge if Cherry could be buried in the backyard of the Gatekeeper's cottage on the grounds. Mr Winbridge agreed to the request.
The second burial was of Prince, the dog of the wife of Prince George, the Duke of Cambridge. Poor old Prince died after being crushed under the wheels of a carriage in the park, a common fate of dogs during that time.
That was followed by more requests for beloved pet burials.
It was philanthropic gesture of the groundskeeper and not a commercial enterprise.
Cats lie peacefully beside dogs.
Apparently there are 3 monkeys and several birds buried in the cemetery.
One dog was murdered. The inscription reads "Balu. Son of Fritz. Poisoned by a cruel Swiss. Berne - 1899".
By 1903 the tiny cemetery was full with around 1,000 graves.
Occasionally burials were made after 1903 with the very last one in 1976.
To me, the cemetery is not morbid, but it is a loving tribute to the strong bond between people and their pets.
And that is something I can certainly relate to.
May they all rest in peace and be reunited with their loving families.
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