Kerrie Joyce 
For those of us who are lucky enough to have loved pets, we know that their impact remains long after their much-too-short lifespans come to an end. With Hoboken being a major dog city, it is safe to say that this universal experience is felt by many in the Mile Square. One Hoboken couple, Sandra Manay and Thomas Konik, has transformed this grief into a community art piece honoring the Mexican holiday, Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Read on for more information about the altar and the locals who created it.
About the Altar
The Día de Muertos pet altar is located on 12th Street and Park Avenue. Sandra and Tom created the altar to honor their pet, Yogi, who passed away in 2022. The couple purchased their home earlier that same year, with the idea that Yogi would be living in it. Since the couple only moved into the new home within the last year, Yogi was sadly never able to physically inhabit the space. Spiritually, however, the couple has built an altar honoring Yogi as a member of their family, complete with photos of him and a written dedication.
Read More: A List of Dog-Friendly Places in Hoboken
In honor of their beloved Yogi, the couple shared, “He was the dog who changed us forever, and his absence revealed that love continues to exist in many forms. Yogi entered our lives in 2013 and left this world in 2022, yet the love he gave us remains. His paws no longer touch the earth, but his presence is everywhere, in our memories, in the warmth of our days, and in the way we carry his love forward.”
The written dedication explains the meaning of certain aspects of the altar, their significance to the holiday, and a special message for Yogi. The dedication is titled, “Love does not die, it only changes form: For the Animals Who Never Leave Us.” It explains the origins of the holiday from Indigenous Mexican traditions combined with Spanish Catholic traditions, evolving All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls Day on November 2nd into what would become The Day of the Dead.
On the uptown Hoboken altar, visitors can observe marigolds, candles, and other offerings specific to the person or pet being honored. According to Sandra’s dedication, the fragrance of the marigolds guides the way for the spirits of loved ones to return, the candles light the path home, and the offerings tell spirits that they are not forgotten. The dedication reads, “This tradition teaches a simple truth: death may end a life, but it can never end love.”
The couple’s intentions for the altar are for it to be a shared space of remembrance for bereaved pet owners, inviting their Mile Square neighbors to contribute their own tributes. “This altar is dedicated to every animal who once stood guard at our doors, brightened our mornings, and filled our days with joy. It is for every companion who asked for nothing but to be near us, and in return gave us everything,” the couple said.
See More: Coping with the Loss of a Pet: Resources + Ideas
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