Having spent the last 17 years exploring and taking photos of DC, and especially investing a concerted amount of time during the pandemic, I often notice themes emerge in my photos.
Let’s tease out some themes. Today’s theme is photos of dog statues or murals.
Since there was some recent heated debates about the appropriateness of dogs in restaurants, I decided to organize those photos into a post.
Hint: I love dogs. I no longer have a dog, but my wiener dog Kuma (2003-2014) was once a frequent finisher in the annual Hill Rag Pet Photo Contest. (BTW the deadline for 2021 submissions is June 11th.)
For the record, I’m cool with dogs at any restaurant or bar provided, the establishment allows it and is up front about the policy to all patrons; the dog is well-mannered; and is preferably outside on a patio or open space. A dog calmly sitting under your picnic table inside a brewery is cool; a dog sitting on top of a table or bar at a restaurant/bar is not cool.
Statues
Fala at FDR Memorial
FDR’s favorite dog and probably the most famous dog in DC, Fala is memorialized as part of the FDR Memorial along the Tidal Basin. The FDR Memorial was dedicated in 1997, and is my favorite presidential memorial.
National Fire Dog Monument
Titled “Ashes to Answers” this statue was created by Austin Weishel in 2013. It sits at the corner of Fifth and F streets NW in the back of DC fire department’s Engine Company 2. It honors those service K-9’s that sniff out the accelerates in arson investigations.
Tudor Place
The dog statues in the garden at Tudor Place are whippets. The garden is well worth a stroll.
Queens Chapel
This good doggo sits at the corner of South Dakota Ave and Ingraham St. NE. If anyone knows the artist or title, please let me know.
Oak Hill Cemetery
I’ve noticed a number of ways people have memorialized dogs at cemeteries in DC. I didn’t always photograph them, but here are two examples from Oak Hill Cemetery.
Murals
Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT)
A wiener dog mural that I believe was part of one of the annual Pow! Wow! DC murals. It’s too long to fit in one photo.
Bardo in Navy Yard
Murals that line the outside of the Bardo Beer Garden. Two of them (not shown) frame a huge dog park. Searching for the name of the artist.
Navy Yard
Also near Bardo is an outdoor bar with seating, and on the back of the container being used as a bar, there is an homage to dogs.
District Dogs in Navy Yard
If you want storefront murals, there is no one doing more in that space than Louie Wri (IG: @lwart). You can’t go anywhere in DC without finding his distinct murals. Of course, there will be dogs.
Mount Vernon Square
Across from the National Convention Center on 7th St NW is another @lwart mural of dogs.
3 Stars Brewing Company
3 Stars has a series of great murals in their indoor hall, including homages to video games. Of course, they have to have Nintendo’s Duck Hunt dog.
Randall School (SW)
The school built in 1906 has been in the process of redevelopment into a museum (haven’t been by in awhile to see progress), but there were cool little murals covering many of the abandoned windows. A couple were of dogs, like this one.
Nino’s Bakery
Wiener dog alert! And more non-dog art by @lwart.
Wet Dog Tavern
Wet Dog opened in 2016 in Shaw with a cool patio space. Who doesn’t love a wet dog shake?
Other Art
Blagden Alley
This Blagden Alley mosaic, made of 30,000 tiny tiles, was created by Craig Nelsen of his dog Buddy in 2014. Originally it was placed in front of a church, but the church removed it. (Read the Washington Post story.) Not sure how it came to its current location.
Same style across the alley, so I assume it is also by Craig Nelsen.
Transportation Walk in Navy Yard
Smithsonian
Haven’t seen most of these, but the Smithsonian has curated a list of dogs showcased in their museums. Here is one example of puppies in the snow.
Woof. Have you found any other dog murals or statues? Share the location in the comments.
I’ll leave you with some wiener rocks.
Hillwood Estate in Rockhill Park has some nice statues and markers around the dog cemetery.
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Thanks for the tip! Definitely need to check out Hillwood Estate.
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