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The War Dog Memorial.
The War Dog Memorial.

Grave of Joachim, War Dog Memorial

Field review by the editors.

Hartsdale, New York

Died 1972

Pet Cemetery.

Poor Joachim (jo-kum) survived a year in Vietnam and returned home, only to get flattened by a neighbor's car in 1972.

He's one of many hero war and police dogs buried in the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, which has been interring animals since 1898. The cemetery is home to the Largest Grave for a Pet (a 50-ton mausoleum for four spaniels), as well as the grave of Goldfleck, a lion kept as a pet in New York City. The roster of celebrity pets is extensive; Mariah Carey buries her pets here.

Also at Hartsdale is America's first war dog memorial, dedicated in 1922 to the Red Cross dogs that served all sides during World War I and saved hundreds of lives. The life-size German shepherd sculpture is the product of private donations collected in the afterglow of WWI, although local war dogs of all eras are welcome.

Notes the caretaker: "Messenger dogs were fair game, but no one ever shot a Red Cross dog."

Also see: Pet Vets | Roadside Pet Cemetery

Grave of Joachim, War Dog Memorial

Hartsdale Pet Cemetery

Address:
75 N. Central Park Ave., Hartsdale, NY
Directions:
Hartsdale Pet Cemetery. On the east side of N. Central Ave. at the intersection of Lawton Ave.
Hours:
Cemetery gated after hours. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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Nearby Offbeat Places

Ferncliff Cemetery and MausoleumFerncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hartsdale, NY - 2 mi.
Muffler Man - Paul BunyanMuffler Man - Paul Bunyan, Elmsford, NY - 3 mi.
Trylon and Perisphere TombstoneTrylon and Perisphere Tombstone, Valhalla, NY - 4 mi.
In the region:
Trump Unisphere, New York, NY - 20 mi.

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