Sitting in a shallow basin in Norman Jewison Park (just east of Yonge, between Isabella and Gloucester), there’s a small tombstone inscribed with the words “In Memory of Barney.” What is it? —Uno Alexandre Ramat, The Village

Posted on February 1, 2004

The parkette was built about three years ago and was named in honour of the grandfatherly Moonstruck director, whose local production company just happens to be right next door. The monument is actually a doggy drinking fountain donated by the man himself, to commemorate his yellow Lab Barney, who passed away in 2001. Constructed this summer, the memorial initially caused consternation among neighbours, who wondered if the park had become some kind of burial ground. Alas, Barney’s remains are not in the ground (burying pets is illegal in Toronto), but since the dog was known to occasionally visit the park, it’s safe to assume he left a little piece of himself behind.

• Categories: Architecture