If you’ve ever wandered through Kiroli Park near the amphitheater, you might have come across a gravestone tucked away on the right side, past the end of the sidewalk. The marker reads:

BUDDIE 1928 – 1941 Born a dog Died a gentleman

This simple yet touching inscription has sparked curiosity and inspired a legend that has endured for decades. But what is the true story behind Buddie’s grave?

According to local lore, Buddie was the mascot for the Boy Scouts who used Kiroli Park as a summer camp in its early days. Back then, there was no pool, so the Scouts learned to swim in the lake.

The story goes that one day, a Scout swam too far from the group and began to struggle. Buddie, the loyal dog, barked furiously to alert the others and then dove into the lake to save the boy. While the Scout was rescued, Buddie tragically didn’t survive.

This tale of heroism has been passed down through the years, cementing Buddie’s place as a local legend.

Searching for the Truth

Despite the popularity of the story, attempts to verify it have come up empty. A search through the archives of the News-Star newspaper revealed no reports of a Scout nearly drowning or a dog heroically sacrificing itself.