Last week, Hartsdale Pet Cemetery held its annual War Dog Memorial Celebration (more on that in a moment). First, we want to tell you about Hartsdale. It’s the oldest operating animal cemetery in the world and dates back to 1896 when Samuel Johnson, a New York City veterinarian who kept a summer home on the site, allowed grieving owners to bury their pets on his land. It wasn’t until 1913 (and hundreds of buried pets later) that the cemetery was officially incorporated.  This unique setting is the final resting place for over 80,000 pets who were owned and loved by celebrities, prominent financial and political figures, musicians, artists, and every day people.

The cemetery is also home to the War Dog Memorial. Erected in 1923 following World War I, the memorial commemorates the military service of canines, and last week, Marine Corps combat-veteran, Matthew Plumeri, and his military war dog, “Gulliver,” an 11-year old Vizsla, were on hand to honor the dogs. Plumeri knew of what he spoke. He and “Gulliver” were deployed in the most dangerous area of the most dangerous province in Afghanistan for seven months, and during their tour, the pair led over 500 combat patrols. “Nobody who ever walked behind us was injured,” Plumeri said. “I credit that one hundred percent to Gulliver….We chose the path of most resistance,” Matt added, explaining that the most difficult routes to traverse on foot were the ones least likely to be mined by Taliban fighters. As if things weren’t dangerous enough, capturing or killing a dog handler can earn a Taliban fighter up to $15,000, making dog handlers in Afghanistan special targets. 

Plumeri was forced to leave Afghanistan without Gulliver, but after an impassioned – and ultimately successful social media campaign, Plumeri flew out to Camp Pendleton, California in 2014 to bring “Gulliver” home to New York where he’ll live out the rest of his life.

Plumeri, together with Nancy Schiesari, director and producer of the full-length documentary, Canine Soldiers, The Militarization of Love, participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the foot of the War Dog Memorial that was built with donations from dog lovers.

Learn more about the amazing Hartsdale Pet Cemetery here,  or watch this three minute video (and see if you don’t get just a little choked up):