Secret Service Visits Pet Cemetery for Presidential Dog’s Burial
Charley Stewart operates Haven for Pets, a pet cemetery in California’s Sonoran Desert, which recently gained attention when Secret Service agents visited to inspect the grounds ahead of burying Liberty, former President Gerald Ford’s golden retriever. Stewart described the bustling visits from various dignitaries as “like a circus.”
Liberty, who served as the nation’s first dog and famously gave birth to nine puppies in the White House, is buried alongside her daughter, Misty. Stewart shared that the Secret Service took precautions to check the area for landmines and ensure the burial was secure, reflecting the special status of the dog that had once brought joy to the presidential family.
Haven for Pets has a rich history, dating back to the 1960s when it was founded as part of a kennel business. Stewart recounted how his father established the cemetery after witnessing a distressing treatment of a deceased pet. Today, the cemetery is known for its association with various celebrities, with nearly 1,000 pets interred, including six of Liberace’s dogs and pets belonging to other Hollywood stars. Though Stewart aims to keep the cemetery somewhat exclusive, he finds solace spending time amidst the headstones, believing the spirits of these beloved pets never truly leave.
