Man Breaks Down In Tears After…

Forgotten Gravestone Tells the Story of a Loyal Companion

While walking through Kiroli Park in West Monroe, Louisiana, Zach Medlin stumbled upon a hidden gravestone beneath leaves and pine needles. As his dog Serena chased ducks, Medlin noticed the small marker and cleared away the debris.

The inscription read: “Buddie, 1928–1941, born a dog and died a gentleman.” The simple yet touching words revealed Buddie had been a deeply loved companion, likely offering comfort to his family during the hardships of the Great Depression.

Though local legend described Buddie as a Boy Scouts’ mascot who saved a drowning child, deeper research offered a different story. According to a 1993 note from Mrs. Dee Strickland, Buddie was an Irish setter owned by Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Jones. They frequently walked him in the park and chose to bury him there after his death.

Whether a heroic mascot or a family pet, Buddie’s gravestone stands as a tribute to the powerful bond between humans and dogs. As Medlin reflected, discoveries like this remind us that “even quiet corners of public parks can hold stories of love, courage, and enduring bonds.”