THE WAR DOG MEMORIAL

Since ancient times, canine warriors have served as sentries, messengers and scouts.  During World War I, the media frequently reported about acts of bravery and heroism on the battlefields by dogs that had been pressed into service.   These stories appear to have aroused in many, feelings of esteem for animals.  As a result, burial of all pets gained wider acceptance.  In three years from 1914 to 1917, more pets were buried at Hartsdale than in the previous two decades.  By the end of the War, there were more than two thousand graves at Hartsdale.

Following the War, there was a public outcry to have a monument built to honor the 7,000 military canines who had served with such great distinction in the conflict.  Hartsdale Canine Cemetery was honored to be chosen as the location for this memorial.  The Directors of the Cemetery donated a sizeable parcel of land to have the memorial built and helped to lead the effort. 

The original cost of the monument was $2,500, which was considered to be an enormous amount of money at the time.  Contributions from plot-holders and the general public poured in as plans were made.  It was designed by Walter A. Buttendorf and sculpted by Robert Caterson, a well-known designer and builder who had worked on many distinguished buildings including Grand Central Station in New York City.  Interestingly, Robert Caterson was also a relative of current Cemetery director, Edward Caterson Martin, Jr.  The sculpture was reportedly modeled after a dog, who with its owner, daily passed the office of designer Walter A. Buttendorf. 

In a letter to its plot-holders dated September 12, 1921 , the Cemetery described the structure to be erected as a “Rustic Boulder executed in the ‘Rock of Ages’ Barre Vermont Granite, surmounted by a heroic statue of a War Dog, Canteen and Helmet in bronze.”  The letter further went on to characterize the monument as one “which will live for ages and be a reminder to our posterity of recognition of his (the War Dog’s) invaluable service.”

Using the finest granite from his own Vermont quarry, Caterson created a majestic ten-foot-high monument with 10 tons of granite, which is topped with a bronze statue of a handsome shepherd dog, wearing a Red Cross blanket.  At the shepherd’s feet are a bronze helmet and a canteen.  A huge American flag waves proudly above.  A simple inscription graces the memorial:

The War Dog Memorial was erected in 1923.  The unveiling was attended by representatives of every nation that fought in the Great War. 

The historic sculpture is listed in the art inventories catalog of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and is described as follows: “A German Shepherd wearing a Red Cross blanket stands on a rough-hewn boulder.  The dog stands in an alert stance with head and ears perked up and tail extended nearly straight.  A canteen and helmet lie below the dog’s front paws.  The helmet has an indentation, possibly representative of a shrapnel hole.”

Hartsdale's War Dog Memorial is a landmark in Westchester County and is included in the Westchester County Office of Tourism's website.

A special ceremony is conducted in the middle of June to pay tribute not only to military dogs, but to all pets who provide services of any type to mankind.  Past ceremonies have honored canines who assisted in the rescue mission in conjunction with the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building in 1994 as well as seeing eye dogs and police dogs.

In 2005, The War Dog Memorial was completely refurbished to its original handsome bronze finish.  Karen Fix of Conservation Artisans located in Brooklyn, New York performed the expert restoration work.  The project was made possible by the generous donations received from plot-holders who contributed to the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery Beautification Fund.  An unveiling ceremony took place at the annual War Dog Memorial Celebration on June 12, 2005.