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Blog archive

September 2026

August 2026

Triumph Over Tragedy
08/31/2026

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained/Lost
08/30/2026

A Gallery of Neighbors: The Village Art Group’s Group Show
08/28/2026

A New and Improved Way to Stay Safer Online
08/28/2026

A Trip to The Geffen Galleries
08/28/2026

Barrier Free Living - A Path to Living a More Independent Lifestyle
08/28/2026

Conversations with Art
08/28/2026

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
08/28/2026

Member Connections with Music Conductor Bill Bing
08/28/2026

Pasadena Heritage Walking Tour
08/28/2026

In Their Hands
08/23/2026

Ease of Being: Managing the stuff of everyday life
08/20/2026

A Tribute to Fire Debris Remediators and Their Super-Sized Dump Trucks
08/18/2026

Really Irene?
08/15/2026

There Is A Risk
08/09/2026

2026 Year in Review
08/03/2026

A Message From Your Newly Elected President
08/03/2026

Neighborhoods Within the Village
08/03/2026

Reflection from PUSD Intern Isabella "Izzy" Roberts
08/03/2026

Reflection on Service & Joy from 2025/26 President Dick Myers
08/03/2026

The Villager Engagement Team Welcomed 54 New Villagers
08/03/2026

Treasurer’s Report
08/03/2026

What Activity! The Cultural Activities Team Report
08/03/2026

An Even Exchange
08/01/2026

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January 2026

Christmas at The (Pet) Cemetery?

By Judith Ray
Posted: 12/18/2025
Tags: judith ray, newsletter january 2026

It wasn’t meant to be a Christmas outing, but when some of the members of the “Everything Doggie” group left their cars, they thought they had stepped into Santa’s Christmas Village.  Decorated trees, poinsettias, elaborate drapings dazzled their eyes making them wonder if they had made a wrong turn.

But, no, it was actually the Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park. Established in 1929, it is 10 acres in Calabasas CA that provides a peaceful resting place for people’s treasured pets. There are some pretty famous residents there. The MGM lion, Tawny, rests beneath a rugged stone next to his adored tomcat, Pal. They were companions for years.

Other well-known “manimals” are Jiggs – “Cheetah” from Tarzan, and Topper – the trusty steed of Hopalong Cassidy. Not only famous pets are there, but pets of famous people, like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Valentino, Mae West, and Jimmy Durante, to name a few. Guess you wouldn’t take your grandkids, though, because they would have no idea who these people and pets were!

It was an idyllic day to wander among the graves and marvel at the creativity people put into decorating their adored pets resting places. Obviously, it was meant for the well-heeled (Pun intended.) Probably most impressive was the mausoleum. Yes, people actually buy spaces in an indoor mausoleum. Not only that, but the mausoleum was completely restored by Peter Falk, the actor who played “Columbo.” 

In Memory of Columbo

There are some 700 pet cemeteries in the United States.  Some are less posh and a little more affordable. But – hey –  it’s Hollywood!

Here are some other sights.

Beach Bandit Gravestone pet cemetery with flowers

Jane & Brigid examining a grave.  

Bella wondering why Sydney won’t play. 

Peanut and Brittle could care less.

 

Looking at the other people around us, we noticed many teary eyes and some downright sobbing.  Our pets are precious to us, but speaking for myself, I think I’ll stick to pictures.  If you are interested in finding out more (like cost $), you can check this out. https://lapetcemetery.com/

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