Toto finds a home at Hollywood Forever
By Allan R. Ellenberger
Today fans of Toto and the Wizard of Oz gathered at Hollywood Forever Cemetery for the unveiling and dedication of the Toto Memorial. Cloudy skys turned to sun, however there were no rainbows but only smiling faces and many, many Cairn Terriers to celebrate the day.
Those who had part in the ceremony included Chanell O’Farrill who welcomed everyone on behave of Hollywood Forever; members of the Toto Memorial Committee, J. P. Myers, Steve Goldstein; Mark Dodge from FixNation, and Robert Baum, the great-grandson of The Wizard of Oz creator, L. Frank Baum. After the crowd sang a chorus of “Over the Rainbow,” the unveiling went off with smoothly. Many thanks go to all who participated today and Tyler Cassity, owner of Hollywood Forever who donated the land the memorial stands on. Enjoy the following photos from todays festivities.
Fans and several Cairn Terriers begin to gather for todays ceremony
These Cairns had front row seats for the unveiling
Claire and Robert Baum, great-grandson of author L. Frank Baum
Robert Baum speaks to the crowd before the unveiling
Waiting for the unveiling
The unveiling of the Toto Memorial. From left, Robert Baum, J.P. Myers, Steve Goldstein, Mark Dodge, Tyler Cassity
Welcome home Toto.
(Toto sculpted by Roman Gal and the base was designed by Arsen Oganesyan)
Above and below, the inscriptions on either side of the memorial
Toto (1933-1945)
The Cairn Terrier Club of Southern California
J.P. Myers and Steve Goldstein, the brains behind the Toto Memorial Marker. Congratulations gentlemen on a job well done.
Olivia Francis with Toto
_______________________________________
June 18th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
to a job well done, from a fan in colorado, thank you!!! I hope to see it soon.
June 18th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Outstanding coverage.
June 19th, 2011 at 1:40 am
Nicely done, Allan! Great photos.
____________________
THANKS MARK!
June 19th, 2011 at 2:48 am
What a beautiful and appropriate memorial to a beloved part of film history. I love the “yellow brick road” of flowers leading to the monument.
June 19th, 2011 at 6:06 am
Wonderful memorial…I can’t wait to see it on my next trip out!!
June 19th, 2011 at 7:17 am
OUTSTANDING!!!! Toto lives on in our hearts and on the screen. Now, all can pay their respects to this very “special Star”. God bless you Toto, and all who made this memorial possible.
June 19th, 2011 at 9:03 am
Thank you, Allan, for the very nice coverage and for your support always. It was great to see you there. And unlike the esteemed CNN, you spelled my name right!
__________________________
LOL, I KNOW HOW THAT IS. YOU’RE WELCOME AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE EVERYONE. HOPEFULLY NEXT TIME WE CAN LUNCH.
June 19th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
LOVE the last photo
June 20th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Great Photos Allan – It was like I was there. The last photo is awesome.
June 20th, 2011 at 9:21 am
How befitting for Toto. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!
From: The Land of Oz Preservation Company and The Lyman Frank Baum Foundation
Syracuse, New York
June 20th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Two woofs up!
June 23rd, 2011 at 2:39 am
Great coverage on a beautiful memorial dedicated to TOTO. Thank you Allan!!
September 12th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
This touched my heart… it’s lovely to see people remember cherished friends and national treasures like this. Well done…
Here’s my pup, Pavlov. A Cairn too! http://www.edternet.com/unclefishbits/2011/06/16/pavlov-the-cairn-terrier-he-should-be-a-forced-viral-meme-yes/
I love those pups… sweet, loyal friends. HI ALL CAIRN & TOTO LOVERS!
November 5th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I am actually watching THE WIZARD OF OZ tonite on TBS TV channel (NOV.5, 2011) and decided to research about TERRY when I came across this website! I think it is wonderful to construct a tribute to the adorable lil’ cairn terrier where the public can view the statue and remember her fondly forever.
March 25th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Thanks to the organizers for this excellent memorial. I’m very curious: are there any remaining clues about where Terry/Toto might be buried in relation to the Ventura freeway? It would be a worthy project to locate her! -MW
October 8th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
what did toto die of
dalinick1@gmail.com
June 27th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Love Cairns. I have had 3, all different personalities but all so sweet and loving. Rest in peace Toto. A great tribute to you.
July 5th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Beautiful photos on a great memorial dedicated to a beloved sweet Toto .RIP Toto. You will forever remain in our fondest memories.
November 6th, 2013 at 8:52 pm
As to where Toto was buried along the Ventura Highway, we would need to look at old records to see where Carl Spitz’s ranch was located, and where his pet cemetery was located on the property. There might be family members who remember the ranch as it was before 1958. If the cemetery was ‘bull-dozed’ then the grave is lost.
December 22nd, 2013 at 1:43 pm
I miss and loved Toto(terry).that dog was very special.
miss terry so much.
March 9th, 2014 at 6:13 pm
I love you Toto! Just watching you in “Bright Eyes” with Shirley Temple. You are so loved! Thank you for all the wonderful memories! ~Voxx~
June 1st, 2015 at 7:33 am
I saw Terry in “Fury” this past weekend and today learned she was also Toto. Her story here has a happy ending which I am glad for
November 1st, 2015 at 9:52 am
I saw Terry this morning in “Tortilla Flat.” She gave an enthusiastic performance and even did a stunt leap. It was an ensemble role with several other canine actors but she shared the limelight well. Thanks for the memorial page!
April 9th, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Toto was so-o-o smart in the Wizard of Oz movie!! Wow! She followed Dorothy where ever she went. It was like she really knew she was in a movie. She loved her. TCM should talk more about Toto as one of the central players in the movie.