The official beginning of Autumn landed on September 22nd, and as always, I love to try and get out for a walk to mark the first day of each season, so we headed out to a place I've wanted to visit for quite a long while.
We entered Northumberland Park at the 'wrong' entrance and ended up starting our walk by the pond, which was lovely. It's never a bad day when Mallards and Moon Hens are involved! The weather was perfect - with a golden glow pouring through the leaves and the perfect cardigan-wearing temperature.
Then we headed around to the Pet Cemetery.
The idea for the cemetery is said to have been proposed at a council meeting in 1948 in a letter from the RSPCA. The next year, the area in the local public park was set aside, and the layout was approved by the council.
Among the headstones are beloved pet cats, dogs and even a deer fawn named Bambi that had been cared for by the RSPCA. I'm sure there are other animals memorialised too, as many dedications only list a name, not species. Not only are there an abundance of adored pets, but there are also some incredibly special war veterans. You may see from the photos 'Pop', who is said to have been an Alsatian used to detect landmines in Italy during WWII, saving many lives. Information online states that he left 'service' due to leg wounds, and his headstone was erected by the RSPCA after his death in 1949, when he was devastatingly found dead at the bottom of the cliffs at Cullercoats, near his home.
A nearby grave names a dog (who I will not name due to the racist nature of the name, poor thing) who is said to have also been a veteran of Dunkirk, mascot of a Mine Sweeper from Albert Edward Dock in North Shields and adoptee of the Dock Police, before passing away at the Whitley Bay Dogs Home in 1951.
Last but not least is Trixie Fox, who was rescued from the beaches of Normandy in 1944.
I only wish I could know more about every single animal buried there. They were all obviously so very loved. What a beautiful little place this is.
A nearby grave names a dog (who I will not name due to the racist nature of the name, poor thing) who is said to have also been a veteran of Dunkirk, mascot of a Mine Sweeper from Albert Edward Dock in North Shields and adoptee of the Dock Police, before passing away at the Whitley Bay Dogs Home in 1951.
Last but not least is Trixie Fox, who was rescued from the beaches of Normandy in 1944.
I only wish I could know more about every single animal buried there. They were all obviously so very loved. What a beautiful little place this is.
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