He only found comfort in this one spot ❤️
By Sarah Ashley
Published on Jan 17, 2026 at 8:34 PM
In early January, a floppy-eared dog trotted through a cemetery in northern Kentucky. He made his way to a flat gravestone that read “Kenneth G. Bramel, 1945-2025,” and sat down.
Visitors to the Maysville-Mason County Cemetery noticed the dog and tried to say hello, but he ran off, farther into the 35-acre park.
A series of gravestones in Maysville-Mason County Cemetery.
Google Maps
This routine — the dog stopping at Bramel’s gravestone, then retreating if someone got close — repeated itself for two days before someone phoned Rick Buttery, shelter director and animal control officer (ACO) for the Mason County Animal Shelter.
“I immediately went down and tried to catch him,” ACO Buttery told The Dodo. “He was standoffish, so I would give him treats and sit on the ground.”
ACO Buttery noticed the dog had a collar but no tags. He poured some dog food near the pup’s favorite gravestone and left.
A tan dog licking his lips.
Mason County Animal Shelter
Over the next few days, ACO Buttery and his assistant took turns trying to build trust so they could capture the scared dog.
“He would come just close enough to get a treat, but if you made a move, he would jump back and bark,” ACO Buttery said.
In the meantime, ACO Buttery posted an image of the dog next to Bramel’s headstone on Facebook to see if anyone recognized the terrified animal.
A stray dog standing next to a gravestone that reads Kenneth Bramel.
Mason County Animal Shelter
Immediately, commenters wondered if the dog was visiting his deceased owner’s grave.
“He is definitely missing someone,” one person wrote.
But Bramel’s niece, Carrie Silvey Watson, set the record straight.
“I don’t remember him ever having a dog,” Watson told The Dodo, “or a pet of any kind. He seemed very neutral about dogs, actually. But he had a gentle, kind spirit about him, and I think animals can sense that.”
Watson said Bramel was born in Maysville and lived most of his life in Lexington. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he lived “a modest life” and loved to read about history. He passed away last year at the age of 79.
“I always remember him with a smile on his face,” Watson said.
A shelter dog looks up at the camera with a sweet expression.
Mason County Animal Shelter
After several unsuccessful attempts to capture the dog, a man walking his own dog managed to capture the floppy-eared pup.
“He was not microchipped, and we’ve yet to find any connection with the headstone or a local family,” ACO Buttery said.
It’s possible the dog, whom Buttery’s assistant named Peanut, was abandoned near this gravesite and returns to it, hoping his family will come back. Perhaps he smells something familiar that gives him comfort.
One thing is certain: Peanut is a sweetheart. He loves going for walks and has the most adorable puppy-dog eyes.
Mason County Animal Shelter
Since Peanut’s story has gained popularity, he’s warmed to his new environment and is recovering from his neuter surgery. Now it’s just a matter of time before this sweet, mysterious pup finds a forever home.
Mason County Animal Shelter
Watson is overjoyed that somehow, Peanut was drawn to her late uncle’s grave.
“I think my uncle would get a good laugh out of it,” she said, “and be happy that this story has warmed so many hearts.”
If you are interested in adopting Peanut, you can contact Mason County Animal Shelter directly.
Hikers Can’t Walk Away When They See ‘Skin-And-Bones’ Animal Chained To Tree
Related
Hikers Can’t Walk Away When They See ‘Skin-And-Bones’ Animal Chained To Tree
She was so happy to see them.
Want more animals?
Get a daily dose of uplifting animal stories straight to your inbox
Your Email Address
Subscribe
By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.
Read Full Article
Daily DodoPets
Pregnant Dog Wouldn’t Let Anyone Near Her — Then She Finally Wagged Her Tail
“The moment she let me pet her, I held my breath … “
By Alana Francis-Crow
A few months ago, dog rescuer Audray Luck’s phone started ringing off the hook with calls about a pregnant dog on the loose and in trouble. She learned that the recently dumped mama was wandering around in the woods, about to give birth.
Luck knew time was of the essence, so she immediately set out on a mission to save the dog. It didn’t take long for her and a team from Luck’s Rescue to locate the pup. But the dog was so terrified that she wouldn’t let anyone get near her.