I knew Waynesboro was/is the Bird Dog Capital of the World and it’s obvious how ingrained that is on the culture of the place but I never ever expected to find such a heartfelt pet cemetery full of the graves of beloved working dogs (and a few other critters). If you go down a very dusty and loosey-goosey sandy dirt road you’ll find this little cemetery on WMA land. A wooden cutout of a bird dog pointing his snoot towards the scattering of graves that nestle up to a stand of pines. The headstones belong to horses, cocker spaniels, mules, a cat, and 122 bird dogs. And at one time the cemetery held the remains of landowner Henry Berol himself!
Scroll through the photos above to see some funny, sweet and sad epitaphs belonging to Berol’s dogs. Some not pictured depicted the harsh reality even for the more cared for working animals of the time – hit by vehicles, poison from irresponsible landowners trying to eradicate ‘pests’ and snakebites are all examples. But it was obvious that Berol really did love his dogs.
If you’re interested in how it all began:
Mr. Henry Berol, an heir to Eagle Pencil Company in New York
purchased 8100 acres in Burke County, Georgia in the 1950’s. The property was known as the Davis-Kilpatrick Plantations.
His plans were to develop the property for running first class field trials with registered dogs in competition. Six courses were laid out with “Bird Gardens planted to develop an environment for quail population.
Mr. Berol named the property DiLane Plantation in honor of his daughters Diane and Elaine.
Field trials were held annually through 1978. Mr. Berol died in February 1976.
Mr. Beroi had a real compassion for his animals, burying them in a private cemetery with with a cast iron fence entrance. Each headstone depicts an epitaph with his feelings of his pets.
One hundred thirty one headstones can be seen. Included are one hundred twenty-two bird dogs, four horses, one pet cat, two pet cocker spaniels and two mules.
The horses include Gemma’s first field trial horse, Henry’s firs field trial horse and mother of their finest colts.
Among the graves are three pointers which won the Georgia Derby Championship for three consecutive years. They are Berol’s Showstopper, Berol’s White Knight and Berol’s Georgia Rebel.
Mr. Berol wishes were to be buried along with his favorite pets. He was buried in February 1976 but shortly afterwards his family chose to remove his remains and they were moved to New York for re-interment. – from the information sign at the property
Some things to consider when visiting are a) the road is dirt/sand and you’ll need to keep moving or you’ll get stuck b) there are lots of deer flies (you know, the ones that bite hard) so bring bug spray but it probably won’t keep all of them at bay (trust me on this one because I still have itchy bites on my ankles and the backs of my arms) c) there is still active hunting on the land so use caution and d) there is no cell services so be sure to map out how to get where you’re going once you leave.
