Smiley Pete

The Smiley Pete memorial is a memorial downtown Lexington that honors the “town dog”.

Pete was the beloved town dog of Lexington, Kentucky. He was a friend to all. Pete was called “Smiley Pete” because he had a tooth-baring grin. Pete was born in 1943 and after his owner left him he found a new home on the streets of downtown Lexington in 1946. Pete would constantly run away form his owner and wander around all night long. Finally, after years of constant searches for Pete the owner gave up on trying to contain Pete. Pete was a runner at heart. Once his owner gave up his pursuit Pete made a new home in downtown Lexington. He set up his new home between Welch’s Cigar Store and Brandy’s Kitchen on east corner of Main and Limestone Street. Pete stole the hearts of locals and tourists. All of Lexington fell in love with Pete and could not imagine life without him. Sadly, Pete passed away and to honor his impact he had on society they created a plaque in his memory. This memorial was put in place to memorialize Lexington’s best friend and to serve as a permanent reminder of the impact Pete had on the hearts of the citizens of Lexington. The memorial is placed near Pete’s favorite hang out spot. The placement of this memorial is significant because it allows Pete’s memory to live indefinitely. It informs everyone of the loving soul that used to run downtown Lexington. The fact that the memorial is placed near by Pete’s favorite hang out spot just adds a sentimental value to the plaque. Those who Pete impacted now see the plaque and are instantly reminded of Pete and his impact he had on them. If the plaque was placed in some random area it would not have the same effect because the people that truly knew Pete and were affected by him saw him in the same hang out spot every single day, now they get to see his plaque in the same spot every time and are reminded of the love they have in their hearts for Lexington’s best friend and his tooth-baring grin.