In the heart of Brooklyn’s historic Green-Wood Cemetery, among rows of grand monuments and timeworn headstones, one grave quietly draws a growing number of visitors. It isn’t the final resting place of a famous general or an acclaimed artist, though the cemetery has many. Instead, it’s the grave of a dog named Rex, whose bronze likeness has stood watch for more than a century—and whose memory continues to inspire a touching tradition of remembrance. As people stroll the grounds of this 478-acre cemetery, many now pause to leave a stick at Rex’s paws, a simple gesture that speaks volumes about the enduring bond between humans and their dogs.
Rex’s statue lies near the intersection of Sycamore and Greenbough Avenues, a visible spot that catches the eye of passersby. The bronze sculpture depicts a dog resting on a stone platform engraved with his name. According to cemetery records and local lore, Rex is believed to have belonged to John E. Stow, a longtime fruit merchant in New York City who passed away in 1884. While it remains uncertain whether Rex is actually buried at the site, a 19th-century note in Green-Wood’s archives references the placement of a “bronze likeness of a dog,” suggesting a strong connection between the statue and the man interred nearby.
What makes Rex’s grave stand out isn’t just the statue, but the growing pile of sticks that visitors leave behind. Stacy Locke, communications manager for Green-Wood Cemetery, told The Dodo that people often see Rex from the road and are drawn to him. “It’s right under a tree and there are lots of sticks around,” Locke explained. “People will drop a stick across his little paws.” Some even leave personal mementos, such as a photo of a beloved pet, perhaps as a way of asking Rex to watch over their own departed companion.
I found this detail striking: the act of leaving a stick, so simple and natural, carries a deep emotional resonance. It’s a tribute that feels both spontaneous and universally understood by dog lovers. In a place known for its quiet grandeur, this small ritual adds a layer of warmth and humanity.
Interest in Rex has grown, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when more people began visiting cemeteries and parks to find peace and space. As foot traffic at Green-Wood increased, so did the number of sticks at Rex’s paws. His resting place has become a kind of informal shrine, a place to reflect not only on one dog’s loyalty but on the role animals play in our lives more broadly.
Rex is not the only animal memorialized at Green-Wood. Before the cemetery’s board of trustees prohibited animal burials in 1879, several pets were laid to rest alongside their owners. Another dog sculpture, less visible and tucked away from the main paths, also receives occasional offerings—though in that case, visitors tend to leave toys rather than sticks. These quiet tributes suggest that the human-animal connection has long been honored in this historic space, even if the full stories behind the memorials remain partly unknown.
Green-Wood Cemetery, founded in 1838, is a National Historic Landmark and home to over half a million burials. While many come to pay respects to notable figures or to enjoy the landscape and architecture, Rex’s grave offers something uniquely personal. It invites visitors to remember not just the famous, but the faithful. His statue reminds us that love and loyalty often transcend words and endure long after we’re gone.
Whether Rex is truly buried beside his owner may never be confirmed. “I think people like to believe that there is a dog interred there and there very well might be,” Locke said. “But it’s hard to say.” Still, the uncertainty doesn’t seem to diminish the affection people feel for this bronze pup. If anything, the mystery enhances his charm, allowing each visitor to imagine their own version of Rex’s story.
For those interested in visiting, Rex can be found in Lot 2925, Section 81 of Green-Wood Cemetery. His presence there continues to offer comfort, connection, and a quiet reminder that a dog’s love can leave a lasting mark—even in bronze. As the sticks at his feet accumulate, so too does the evidence that this century-old memorial still touches hearts today.
