There is question about Pete the Pup's burial locations; we know that Petie was played by a few dogs, so there must be more then one burial plot. I added the above newspaper clipping which was recently emailed to me. I'm unsure how accurate the article is but it does come from an area in southern California near the old Hal Roach Studio. If this was in fact one of the Pete dogs then it most probably could have been buried in the yard of the owners.
A
website called Roadside America states that a Pet Memorial Park in Calabasas Ca. has a Petie buried there and is indeed a true Petie. According to the book Following the Comedy Trail by Leon Smith, a retired L.A.P.D. Police Detective it's said that a Pete is buried there and has a picture to prove it. The book states: "Pete rests near the top of a shady hill at Los Angeles S.P.C.A. Pet Memorial Park (now SOPHIE), 5068 Old Scandia Lane, north of the Ventura Freeway (101) in Calabasas. A picture of the grave marker shows Pete was 16 yrs. old at death and is buried with his 'Faithful Friends' Teddy, age 16 1/2 and another who's name is unreadable. BUT is this a true Pete?? Who's to argue with a Detective? But there must've been Pete impersonators out there. Rich families who created their own special versions of this popular Hollywood dog. Who knows?
Rumor has it that a Pete was buried in Clara Glenn Pet Cemetery in Linwood N.J. outside Atlantic City. Pete the Pup was shown off for special photographs in nearby Atlantic City at the Steel Pier and am unsure if Petes owner/trainer harry Lucenay lived in the New Jersey back then. The pet cemetary was very popular back in the 1930's and 40's when Pete made his Steel Pier appearances. After further investigation though I discovered this may have been just that... a rumor, but again, who knows?
Was a Pete buried in Alfalfa Switzer's grave? I don't think so, the dog on the grave stone symbolizes Alfalfa's love for hunting so I doubt it, more would've been known if this was the case.
There is also rumor a Pete is in Silver Springs MD in Aspin Hill Pet Cemetery. Many people beleive that Jiggs aka General Lee is really a true Pete the Pup! While doing my homework I discovered this IS NOT a Petey, Jiggs was in fact another Hollywood dog who I've seen pictures of at parades and on set. Believe me, he looks absolutely nothing like any of the Peteys from the Our Gang! It was simply an urban legend created by townfolk who admired this much loved dog.
In an article written by Christine Minor, a Tibune-Herald staff writer, it states that Harry Lucenay said: "none of the rumors are true. Pete (Lucenay's Peter) died of old age, not poison." And the final resting place of the famous pup remains with Lucenay. (Lucenay was correct that 'Lucenay's Peter' did die of old age in 1946, it was this dogs father Pal who was poisoned). I also read that these two dogs are buried together.) But where???
My own personal theory is Lucenay's Peter and Pal the Wonder Dog, are buried at the same location as Harry Lucenay at Los Angeles National Cemetery (Plot: 188 10/A). Why? It came to me when I read that: "the final resting place of the famous pup remains with Lucenay." Obviously he loved these dogs very much and where would be more fitting resting place but by his side?
Why the big mystery in where Pete is buried? Maybe to protect the dogs memory and to simply let them Rest in Peace.
Any information about Peties final resting place(s) would be greatly appreciated.
E-Mail
Back
