Pet Cemetery in Lily Dale

Have you ever been to an actual pet cemetery? Pets are buried in back yards, goldfish are flushed down toilets, but fewer people bury them in official pet cemeteries. Why would people choose to create a real cemetery for pets, versus just planting their pet in the back yard or even incineration through their local vet?

Many people value their pets as they do family members. They don't want to dump their dog Fido or cat Fluffy in the garbage because they were loved . Would you dump grandma in the garbage can with the rest of your weekly garbage? (If you answer yes, please get some counseling!)

Pet cemeteries are an option if you live where you aren't allowed to bury a pet in the backyard. They provide a place for people to visit a valued furry family member, much as they would a regular cemetery for people. If you're wondering how a person could become so attached to an animal, consider the following:

1. If you're someone who doesn't trust humans, you may naturally turn to animals for comfort. These pets provide comfort and someone to talk to (even if it is only one-sided), when there is no one else to turn to.
2. The elderly often keep pets as companions if they have no other family, or if their family isn't able to visit often. These companions are often thought of as much more than just a dog or cat to their owners- they are substitutes for human companionship.
3. Pets are often perceived as having a pure soul. They may behave a certain way because it is their nature, but even if it is occasionally bad behavior, the owner will forgive it. Owners who believe pets have souls may also believe that they should be buried in a proper cemetery.

It is no wonder that there is a pet cemetery in Lily Dale. Spiritualists believe that the soul carries on after it leaves the body, and this goes for animals as well. On my most recent visit to this unusual community, I visited this cemetery, and have created a slideshow (above) to share with the readers here on HubPages.

The oldest "resident" in this cemetery is Topsy. This white horse was a working horse in the early years of Lily Dale. Topsy was the horse that carried ice to residents during the summer months, and made other deliveries during the winter. The horse fell through the ice on the lakefront one winter, and subsequently died. Lily Dale residents mourned the loss of this favored horse, and gave it a proper burial in an area near The Stump. In the following years, other residents also began burying their beloved pets around Topsy's grave. Today, visitors can see the graves of many well-loved pets in this forest primeval, perhaps even burying their pet there as well.