In the quiet heart of Brooklyn, where marble angels line the hills and the wind whispers through oak trees, one loyal soul continues his watch.
Visitors who wander through Green-Wood Cemetery often stop in their tracks at a bronze figure resting on a small stone bed — a statue of a dog named Rex.
A Guardian Of Love: The Dog Who Still Watches Over His Owner After 100 Years
Though more than a century has passed since he first took his place beside his owner’s grave, Rex still looks ready to protect and comfort the one he loved most.
Every day, strangers stop by to greet him.
They brush away the fallen leaves, place a stick between his paws, and smile as if they’ve found an old friend.
His resting spot, tucked beneath the shade of an ancient tree, has quietly become one of the cemetery’s most cherished places — a corner that feels alive with devotion rather than loss.
The Dog Who Became A Legend In Brooklyn
It’s believed that Rex once belonged to John E. Stow, a New York fruit merchant who died in 1884 after decades of working in the city’s bustling markets.
When Stow was laid to rest in Green-Wood Cemetery, someone commissioned a bronze sculpture of his faithful dog to sit by his side.
No one knows exactly who created it, or whether Rex himself was buried there too — but for generations, his presence has stirred affection and curiosity among visitors.
Cemetery staff say it’s impossible to miss him. His statue sits where two quiet roads meet, a peaceful crossroads lined with branches perfect for tossing at his feet.
“People see him from the road,” one caretaker shared. “It’s as if he’s waiting to greet everyone who passes.”
Some visitors even bring photos of their own pets to leave beside him — tokens of love and remembrance offered to a guardian they’ve never met.
One small picture left beneath Rex’s paws carried a note asking him to “look after my little one,” a message that has moved countless people who later stumbled upon it.
Over time, Rex’s resting place has gathered not just sticks, but stories.
During the long months of the pandemic, when New Yorkers sought refuge in the calm of Green-Wood’s 478 acres, many found comfort in the bronze dog who seemed untouched by time.
With each branch placed before him, his collection grew — a testament to the simple power of loyalty and love.
The Mystery That Keeps His Memory Alive
Though the cemetery’s archives include a brief 19th-century mention of a “bronze likeness of a dog,” no one can say for sure whether Rex himself lies buried beside Stow.
The question remains unanswered — and maybe that’s part of the magic.
Visitors like to imagine that somewhere beneath the stone, the real Rex rests peacefully, keeping his silent promise to stay close forever.
He’s not the only animal remembered there, though.
Before 1879, it was common for families to have their beloved pets interred beside them, and a few other mysterious sculptures scattered across the grounds tell similar tales of devotion.
One such monument, hidden away from the main paths, bears the likeness of another loyal dog surrounded by tiny toys left behind by strangers.
Each of these tributes speaks to something timeless — the bond that survives even after death.
More than a century since his creation, Rex’s bronze fur has dulled to a soft patina, but his story continues to shine.
He’s more than a piece of art or a curious landmark. He’s a reminder that love doesn’t end when a heartbeat stops — it lingers, patient and steadfast, waiting at the edge of memory.
For those who wish to find him, Rex rests in Lot 2925, Section 81 of Green-Wood Cemetery. Bring a stick if you visit.
It’s a small gesture, but it says everything — that even now, after a hundred years, he’s still a good boy.