Katharina Buczek
A close second, though, is probably the adorable pup named Toto, that added a humane and relatable element to the childhood classic.
Following Toto’s passing, she was initially buried at her California home, where she was raised as a pup. But, in 1958, Toto’s home and memorial were bulldozed in order to make room for the Ventura Freeway.
This upset Oz lovers everywhere, who were worried that Toto would not be properly commemorated. So, a group of fans banded together and took to the internet. They created an online campaign in hopes of building Toto a memorial at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery located in Los Angeles.
The campaign was a success, and now, Toto’s memorial statue and headstone can be visited by anyone in the public.
“This monument is dedicated to the memory of the beloved Toto from the 1939 film, ‘The Wizard of Oz,'” the pup’s headstone reads.
“After the death of Toto, originally named Terry, in 1945, Owner and Trainer Carl Spitz buried the Cairn Terrier on his ranch in Studio City. The 1958 construction of the Ventura Freeway destroyed her resting place.”
“Rex the Wonder Dog” – Showbiz Dogs of Clara Glen Pet Cemetery, Linwood, New Jersey
Located in New Jersey, the Showbiz Dogs of Clara Glen Pet Cemetery was founded in 1918 by a husband-wife duo who cherished their pets more than anything.
The graveyard went on to be the final resting place for countless dogs who belonged to Atlantic City celebs. Other pups who participated in show biz, such as Rex the Wonder Dog, are also honored there.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Rex was a renowned performer on Atlantic City’s Steel Pier. He would courageously water ski and boogie board while being towed by a power boat– making Rex’s show a true wonder to the human eye.
Countless people traveled to Atlantic City just to see Rex’s water show in action, and he is continuously honored as a remarkably talented pup in history today.
