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Visiting the Coondog Cemetary in Alabama

7/24/2011

8 Comments

 
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When travelling to judge a national bird dog championship, I saw a sign for the coondog cemetery and I just had to see it! As luck would have it, I got an afternoon off from judging and had some free time to travel to Colbert County, Alabama to the Key Underwood Coondog Cemetary.

Over Labor Day every year, there is a large celebration and bluegrass music festival at the cemetery. I can only imagine how much fun that is! The day I visited was a dreary February day in Alabama. You could hear the rustling of critters in the woods, but no hound song or music in the hills. Yet, the beauty and love exhibited in that memorial showed loud and clear.

We won't find our family pets in the Key Underwood Coondog Cemetary. Dogs must be coondogs (no other breeds allowed) and must be hunting dogs true to their heritage. Yet, every one of the nearly 200 dogs in the cemetery is loved and honored as much or more than any dog you can imagine.

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If you want to see artwork, gaze carefully at Troop's memorial. It has a tree and two treeing hounds on it.
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Many of the other headstones also have beautiful images of hounds. You can feel the love oozing from even the most simple wooden crosses with hand etched words.
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What brought tears to my eyes were the orange hunting collars and tags hanging from the dog's cross. So many people find comfort in holding on to their dogs' collars and their ID tags or licenses long after they are gone. A collar is a very personal item specific to that one special dog.
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Stopping by the Key Underwood Coondog Cemetary for a moment of peace in the woods on the mountain top in rural Colbert County, Alabama was well worth it. It was a touching reminder of how important my beloved coonhounds are to their owners, no matter where or what walk of life they come.

I will forever picture those collars resting gently atop gravestones and crosses.

Go to www.coondogcemetary.com if you'd like to see some of the pictures and information about this touching ritual.

By Mary Beth Hall
8 Comments
Karen Dancy
7/31/2011 12:01:57 pm

Wow, that is cool.

Reply
Scott Kennedy
8/3/2011 01:44:25 pm

We live in huntsville, about 1.5 hours away from the coondog cemetary. We have two coonies and have visited with our older one, Frank. We went on Labor Day and were greated like celebrities. People were snapping pictures of Frank as we walked in.

I recommend making the trip on Labor Day. It's a fun outing.

Reply
Mary Beth
8/8/2011 12:56:29 pm

Scott, that sounds great! Its a long drive from Ohio, but I'm sure it would be quite a treat in September with my walker hound along. We love bluegrass music and its really beautiful in the hills there.

Reply
Janice M. Williams
11/23/2011 07:57:07 am

This is our very own Coondog Cemetery. Our mission is to preserve and restore the cememtery for future generation. Look us up on Facebook for new photos.
www.facebook.com/coondogcemetery

Reply
James Cronin link
9/5/2021 05:15:32 pm

There are a variety of unique places in Alabama. One place in particular is the Coon Dog Cemetery. This unique cemetery is one of Alabama’s true hidden gems.

Reply
Jesus Wilber link
9/8/2021 07:02:31 am

The Coondog Cemetary in Alabama is the final resting place for more than 150 coonhounds. Despite its remote location, nearly 7,000 people visit each year.

Reply
William Brown link
9/8/2021 05:00:32 pm

Alabama is home to a range of tourist attractions and things to do for all ages and interests. Most wonderful attractions are the Coon Dog Cemetery in Alabama

Reply
Lonny Gibbs link
9/9/2021 06:47:47 am

Most people don’t know the unique story behind the Coondog Cemetary in Alabama. I would like to know more about this Cemetary in Alabama. Thank you so much!

Reply



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