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President's Dog Buried with Stars
26 Sep
Summary
- Secret Service inspected pet cemetery for presidential dog's burial.
- Famous pets of Liberace and Michael Landon are also buried there.
- Haven for Pets has served celebrity animals since the 1960s.
In Desert Hot Springs lies Haven for Pets, a unique cemetery dating back to the 1960s. This establishment gained prominence when it became the burial site for Liberty, President Gerald Ford's golden retriever. Its significance was underscored by a Secret Service inspection of the grounds prior to Liberty's interment.
Liberty, the nation's first dog, had a celebrated life at the White House, even giving birth to nine puppies there. One of her offspring, Misty, is also interred alongside her mother at Haven for Pets, adding a touch of presidential history.
The cemetery's distinguished clientele extends beyond the White House to Hollywood legends. Six dogs belonging to Liberace are buried there, their headstones noting their owner as 'Lee.' The pets of actor and composer Jimmy Van Heusen also rest at Haven for Pets.
Established by Charles Stewart as an extension of a celebrity pet grooming service, Haven for Pets was founded on compassion after a disturbing discovery of a discarded pet. Today, roughly 1,000 pets are interred, with costs now nearing $900 per burial. The owner deliberately keeps the cemetery unadvertised, ensuring its longevity for over 200 years.
