In a heartening revelation, Zach Medlin’s leisurely stroll through Kiroli Park in West Monroe, Louisiana, uncovered a hidden gem that had gone unnoticed for years. Amongst the fallen leaves and pine needles, a small square stone emerged, catching Medlin’s attention.While Medlin’s one-eyed Staffordshire terrier, Serena, was engrossed in chasing ducks by the nearby lake, Medlin’s curiosity led him to unveil the stone.
“The inscription was covered by some pine straw,” Medlin shared with Fox News. “So I had to clear the pine straw out of the way to read what the grave marker had to say.”
The inscription revealed the story of Buddie, 1928 — 1941, born a dog and died a gentleman. Medlin couldn’t help but ponder why this dog was laid to rest in a 160-acre public park.From the poignant inscription, Medlin sensed that Buddie was a truly remarkable dog deeply cherished by his family during the trying times of the Great Depression.“Knowing that Buddie provided comfort to his owners during the Great Depression is truly heartening,” Medlin expressed. “All dogs deserve a grave marker.”
Local lore suggested that Kiroli Park was once a summer camp for the Boy Scouts, with Buddie serving as their mascot. According to the tale, Buddie’s heroic barks saved a drowning boy, alerting other Scouts who managed to rescue him.
