When Secret Service agents arrived at a modest plot of land in the Sonoran Desert outside Desert Hot Springs, they weren’t there to investigate a crime – they were there to protect a piece of American history. The agents inspected the grounds of Haven for Pets, a family‑run pet cemetery owned by Charley Stewart, before the burial of Liberty, the golden retriever that served as the nation’s first White House dog during President Gerald Ford’s administration.
Presidential pet finds a final resting place
Liberty arrived at the White House as a puppy and quickly became a beloved companion to the Ford family. In 1975 she gave birth to nine puppies on the third floor of the Executive Residence, a first for any canine in the White House. One of those puppies, a female named Misty, was kept by the Fords and now lies beside her mother at Haven for Pets.
Stewart recalled the Secret Service’s thoroughness: “They have representatives, the Secret Service, and the secretaries, and all those people come by. It’s like a circus.” He added that the agents even walked the property looking for potential hazards, underscoring the respect given to a former president’s beloved pet.
A family legacy of caring for animals
Haven for Pets traces its roots to the 1960s, when it began as an extension of Dogtown USA, a full‑service kennel in Palm Springs. Stewart’s father, Charles Stewart, purchased Dogtown in 1959 after witnessing a tragic incident in which a neighbor’s deceased dog was discarded in a garbage can. Determined to provide dignified care for animals, he founded the cemetery to ensure that “these babies” would receive proper burial.
Today, the cemetery is a quiet, word‑of‑mouth operation. Stewart says he does not advertise because he wants to preserve the site’s serenity and limit the number of interments. “I don’t want to speed up the process. The cemetery right now is set up in a way that it’s going to last way in excess of 200 years,” he explained.
Celebrity connections and community service
Beyond the Ford family, Haven for Pets has become the final resting place for a host of notable pets. World‑famous pianist Liberace buried six dogs there, listed under his nickname “Lee.” Actor Michael Landon and Academy Award‑winning composer Jimmy Van Heusen also entrusted the cemetery with their beloved companions.
Stewart highlighted the cemetery’s historic clientele, noting that his father once cared for the dogs of Leonard Firestone, the Marx Brothers, and other Coachella Valley luminaries. “We groomed them and we boarded them … We did business with them,” he said, illustrating the long‑standing relationship between the Stewart family and the region’s entertainment community.
Changing times, steady purpose
Roughly 1,000 pets now rest at Haven for Pets. In its early days, a burial cost $35; today the fee is nearly $900, reflecting both inflation and the specialized care the cemetery provides. While the site once handled up to five burials a week, Stewart has intentionally reduced the pace to three or four a year to protect the grounds and extend the cemetery’s lifespan.
Each day, Stewart spends about two hours seated on a lawn chair among the headstones, watching over the animals he believes “never die.” His dedication embodies a respect for tradition, family values, and the simple dignity of caring for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Why this matters to Desert Hot Springs
Haven for Pets is more than a business; it is a living reminder that even the nation’s highest office values the companionship of animals. For residents of Desert Hot Springs, the cemetery offers a tangible link to presidential history and a testament to the community’s long‑standing commitment to honoring life, both human and animal.
As the Trump administration continues to champion policies that protect families, faith, and liberty, stories like this underscore the enduring American principle that every creature deserves respect and a proper farewell.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
