Tucked away on the edge of US 441, just south of Micanopy, there is a very special resting place for cherished pets, appropriately named the Garden of Love. Sunlight sparkles through centuries-old oak trees that protect the gardens located in the center of the memorial park. In addition to the green of the grass and trees, there are splashes of color everywhere from flowers that grace the gravesites of beloved pets.

The Garden of Love was originally founded by Dot and Frank Stout in 1980 and has remained the only full service pet cemetery in the Gainesville area. Dr. Linda McCollough, doctor of veterinary medicine and owner of Haile Plantation Animal Clinic recently purchased the park. “During my 10 years of practice, I have grieved for many animals and their owners as they try to cope with the loss of their pets. The death of a pet, for many, is as difficult as the loss of a human life.”

Since opening her clinic at Haile Plantation almost eight years ago, Dr. McCollough has gained a reputation as a loving, nurturing provider for pets and their families. “I’ve been helping people care for their animals when they are living. Now I can help them with the very difficult transition after their pet has passed on,” she said.

When Dot Stout, the previous owner put the property up for sale, many of the people with pets buried there became concerned. But Dot assured them that no matter who bought the property, it would be dedicated as a pet cemetery in the deed when it was sold.

Those people need not worry. Dr. McCollough only plans to make it more attractive for people to bring their pets there for their final resting place. “I have two pets buried out there myself,” she said. “It has a rustic old-fashioned warmth to it, and I plan to maintain that.”

The memorial gardens encompass only two acres of the seven-acre landsite. The park is divided into sections, including a St. Francis garden, a formal garden for “family” burials, a kitty cat garden and two brick remembrance walls covered with memorial plaques. In stark contrast to human cemeteries, the graves are very personalized—some with statues, plants, photos and even favorite toys and tennis balls. There is also a large gazebo under which rests the only horse buried in the park. Dr. McCollough plans on re-landscaping the rest of the land to match the beauty of the cemetery garden. An angel statute designed and sculpted by artist Kenneth Beason (rendering on opposite page) will soon replace the tiny pet cemetery sign that has made the park a challenge to locate. Realizing that she has a responsibility to the people whose pets are already buried there, Dr. McCollough does not plan any dramatic changes. She simply wants to make it more inviting.

“I know how much people care about this place and what it means to them to be able to honor their pet for the unconditional love that they gave them during their life,” she said. “My associate veterinarian, Dr. Jamie McGregor, has two pets buried in the park and she and her husband visit them every Sunday after church.”

And you can find more than just dogs and cats in the cemetery. All kinds of family pets are buried there, including a goat, a rat, a squirrel, a hamster, a duck, a cockatiel and even an 800-pound horse. There are even the remains of a person. When Dave Benton discovered that he was dying of kidney failure, he asked to have his ashes buried with his four dogs, placed in the park between 1990-1999. A granite memorial stone, marking the site of his canine family, displays the inscription, “Dave Benton and his buddies.”

Dr. McCollough feels honored that she can continue the tradition started by Dot Stout, and her husband, Frank, to provide this service. “For many people, the stress of a pet passing is very traumatic and they often don’t know where to turn for help. This is a way to provide a dignified resting place and for people to continue to maintain a relationship with their animal.”

As one pet owner described when visiting her sheltie, “To me a cemetery is a place where heaven touches earth. I like to believe that he is in heaven and that one day we’ll meet again.”

The Garden Of Love is located approximately 1 mile south of the blinking yellow light in Micanopy on Hwy 441.
For more information about burials, cremations, caskets, memorials, urns and other services please call 352-377-7455