The Paris Dog Cemetery

There are several pet cemeteries around the world now, but the Cimetière des Chiens (Paris Dog Cemetery) is thought to be the first one. Opened in 1899, the cemetery was built out of necessity because a new law forbade residents from "throwing dead beasts into the woods, rivers, ponds, roadsides or from burying them in stables," according to author Laurent Lasne's 1988 book about the cemetery, "Island for Dogs." The cemetery is located in a suburb just outside of Paris, Asnières-sur-Seine, reachable by métro. Coming out of the métro, you are in a working class area with a mostly north African population. The cemetery has a peaceful setting above the Seine and is surrounded by a stone wall and an Art Nouveau portal with intricate grill work.

 

 

Entrance to the dog cemetery

 

Rules and regulations for the cemetery

 

 

A short history of the dog cemetery

 

 

Monument to Barry, the Saint Bernard

The monument right inside the entrance to the cemetery is a statue of Barry, a World War I Saint Bernard rescue dog from the Hospice du Grand St-Bernard in the Alps. The earliest written records of the St. Bernard breed are from monks at the hospice. Interestingly, the dogs at the hospice never received any special training from the monks. Instead, younger dogs would learn how to perform search and rescue operations from older dogs.

 

The inscription says: "He saved the lives of 40 people. He was killed by the 41st."

Not on purpose. The child on Barry's back in the statue is the 41st. As soon as he got this child to safety, he died of exhaustion. Oddly enough, Barry is not buried in the Cimetière des Chiens--he was stuffed and is exhibited in the Swiss Natural History Museum in Bern.

A view of the length of the cemetery

 

 

Long rows of grave stones

 

 

A view of the cemetery toward the entrance

Although it’s technically called Cimetière des Chiens, or “cemetery of dogs,” it’s not limited to canine burials. In addition to the dogs buried here, you’ll also find graves for cats, sheep, rabbits, horses and monkeys, among other animals. In total, more than 40,000 pets have been buried at the cemetery since it was opened.

 

“Peter, my adored little rabbit”

 

 

A monument to Faust, the sheep

    

 Kiki, the monkey

“To our dear baby, Kiki. We’ll never forget you.”

 

Unlike human cemeteries, many of the tombstones have photos of the pets, and some have very elaborate, carved stone statues. Overall, the most striking feature of the cemetery is the expressions of love lavished on the graves by the owners. If you have ever lost a beloved pet, you immediately feel connected to the outpouring of sentiment expressed on the grave stones.

Jupiter

"Love of our life"

 

 

Marble cat sculpture

 

Pompon

I had heard that a number of feral cats lived in the cemetery, so I brought a bag of cat treats with me. Pompon is the one and only cat that I saw there, and he must not have been particularly hungry because as soon as he saw me, he took off without further adieu.

 While I was visiting the cemetery, I met a “Cat Lady” who was visiting the graves of her three cats. I had a feeling that she came to the cemetery regularly because she had been feeding Pompon as well as visiting her cats. She was very cordial but absolutely refused to let me take her photo. I gave her the cat treats to give to Pompon.

 

Her 3 cats are on this flower-covered grave. The only date I can see on the tombstone is 2002, but maybe the death of the third cat has been more recent because she still seems very upset over their loss.

 

I tried taking a photo from a distance, but she wasn’t having any of it.

 

 

Jimmy’s grave is also beautifully decorated.

 

 

Higgins and Beauty are beside each other.

There are stones on Higgins’ grave. It is a Jewish custom to place stones on a grave rather than flowers because stones will never die, like the memory of our loved ones. Maybe Higgins had a Jewish owner who will never forget him.

“To My Dear ones, Catherine and Caline”

 

 

Poupette is right beside a beagle that has a dove on his tombstone.

“To Our Otis”

 

Daisy, Bimbeau and Wandy

“To our Loving Jonion”

 “Rebecca, called Belle, Forever my Faithful Friend”

 

 

Tipsy must have been the center of the universe to his heartbroken Mama.

Alas, poor Tipsy

 In February, 2012, French police were investigating the theft of a diamond-studded dog collar from a grave in the cemetery. "The grave of a dog buried with a diamond collar worth 9,000 euros (11,700 dollars) was desecrated on the night February 4 to 5.” A wealthy American industrialist's wife buried Tipsy wearing the diamond collar in 2003. For years the legend of a dog buried with a diamond necklace had circulated in the town, but it was only after the theft that police confirmed the truth of what had been thought an urban myth.

 

 

Darius de Longchamp, an imposing name for a little black cat

 

“Darius is a kind and affectionate little cat, gifted with inordinate intelligence. He will be forever etched in our memory.”

“Here lie 100 cats placed here by the Association of the Friends of Cats of Asnieres”

“The Cat’s Prayer”

“The being that I am does not have a master

But a friend that I have chosen,

Without whom I would die of boredom.

Respect my independence,

I will show you freely with caresses

And purring that I love you.

I am not your toy

And if necessary, I will wait for you for years, my friend.”

 

 

Two dogs, Marquise and Tony, on stone steps

 

 

Isley

This is a simple grave, but the bushes on either side are carefully tended.

 

 

Maia, Louky and Gessie are buried here.

 

 

The first cat was Lupin, then came Scipionne. Pionette came next. Platon must have been the favorite because he has the place of honor at the top of the tomb. He lived 23 beautiful years, but there was still one more to come, Gudule.

The inscription reads: Rin Tin Tin, The Great Movie Star

The most famous grave at the Paris pet cemetery is that of Rin Tin Tin, who starred in 27 Hollywood films of the 1920s; his namesake was the star of the televised series of the same name. At one point, he is said to have received the most votes for the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1929-- but was declined because he wasn't human. (A Hollywood legend, maybe--but he WAS honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1963.)

Rin Tin Tin was adopted from a World War I battlefield by an American soldier. Although he spent most of his life in the U.S. and died in Hollywood in 1932, he had been found in France originally, so was brought back to France to be buried in le Cimetière des Chiens.

 

A dog bedecked with Mardi Gras beads

 

Bébé is lying in front of her grave marker.

 

 

Police Dogs’ Memorial Graves

 

 

Putsik was a kind and sweet cat.

 

 

Sultan Galant Vom Hatzfield was a German Shepherd in his own mini-mausoleum.

 

 

 

An unknown occupant on a stone platform

 

 

Caramel

 

“My daughter, the love of my life, I love you, Your Mother”

 

 

A new path outside the cemetery proper has 2 imposing-looking tombs.

 

 

Tamise, who looks like a cocker spaniel, has the place of honor on this tomb, and Poupette and Nectarine are below her. An unidentifiable fourth pet is also buried here.

 

My husband Robert is waiting patiently until I finish visiting the animals.