Honoring the lives of our pets

by Nikki Tundel, Minnesota Public Radio

Roseville, Minn. — Human beings have commemorated the lives of their pets for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians set aside land along the Nile solely for the burial of animals. Alexander the Great led a formal funeral procession for his beloved dog. And, during the Victorian era, deceased pets were often photographed on lace and satin pillows, posed as if they were sleeping peacefully.

Public pet cemeteries began popping up in the United States towards the end of the 19th century and the country now has over 500 memorial parks dedicated entirely to animal companions.

The Memorial Pet Cemetery in Roseville, Minnesota, was established in the early 1920s. Today it's the final resting grounds for thousands of animals -- from cats and dogs to guinea pigs and a hedgehog.

Minnesota Public Radio's Nikki Tundel put together this series of photographs from the Twin Cities cemetery.

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