Woman Finds Grave in Backyard After Moving In, Then Photos Reveal The Truth

Newsweek

01-06-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A new homeowner discovered what appeared to be a grave in her new yard and always wondered who it belonged to—then one day she found heartbreaking photographs which revealed all.
Krystal Castillo, 33, is from Miami, Florida, and moved into a new house in 2024. Before too long, when exploring her backyard, she found a pet's grave marker, engraved with the name Honey.
As she told Newsweek: "I had only seen the [grave] stone, and this gave me a glimpse into what she looked like and how loved she was."
Months later, Castillo found photographs hidden in their home, saying: "The photos were found in a closet on a dusty top shelf, where a few miscellaneous items were left behind like screws and old manuals."
She shared a video to her TikTok account @elsieandkrystal on March 30, first showing the grave marker alongside the words: "Found this in our backyard when we moved in and wondered what she must have been like and how loved she must have been."
The grave marker in Krystal Castillo's yard, featuring the name Honey.
The grave marker in Krystal Castillo's yard, featuring the name Honey.
TikTok @elsieandkrystal
The clip then switched to show the newly-found photographs, all of them showing a Collie relaxing in the home Castillo now lived in. And by the dog's side in every photo was a Beanie Baby of—just like Honey—a Collie dog.
Collies, also known as Rough Collies, are best-known as the breed from the iconic 'Lassie' series. They are described as devoted to their families, proud and graceful, and excellent with young children, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). While it's known how old Honey was when she passed, the AKC says the breed has a lifespan of between 12 to 14 years.
Castillo told Newsweek: "It broke my heart when I found them, because I always wondered what Honey must have been like."
She said it was obvious the dog was a much-loved member of the family, pointing out how the owners had "bought her a Beanie Baby that looked like her."
TikTok users were hugely moved by the story, awarding the video more than 100,000 views.
Photographs of the Collie, which Castillo found on a top shelf in her new home.
Photographs of the Collie, which Castillo found on a top shelf in her new home.
TikTok @elsieandkrystal
One emotional commenter wrote: "This is why I cremated my soul boy, I couldn't bare leaving him behind if I loved [sic]," as another declared: "RIP to all the pets that had to be left behind when their houses were sold."
"That is why I started cremating my babies; I've left a few behind and couldn't do it anymore," another admitted as well, adding: "Thank you for keeping her memory safe."
Others shared their own stories, as one commenter wrote: "My farm has a pet cemetery from the previous owners. They lived here 30 years and had a few dogs who now rest here forever. I tend to the cemetery with love and my heart dog now rests beside them."
Reacting to the major response to her video, Castillo told Newsweek: "I find it so heartwarming that so many people have found a connection to the video as dog lovers."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [e-mail] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.