Woman Shocked by Neighbors’ Response After She Sets Up Día de Muertos Altar as Tribute to Beloved Dog

Sandra Manay is honoring Día de Muertos this year with a heartfelt tribute that started as a private remembrance and grew into a shared neighborhood tradition.

For the Hoboken, New Jersey, resident, the celebration centers on Yogi — her cherished family dog who passed away in 2022.

“We were actually planning to move to this home with him, but he passed just a week before our closing,” says Manay, 33. “Since then, we’ve built an altar for him at home every year.”

An ofrenda — the colorful altar created during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) — is traditionally meant to welcome and honor the spirits of departed loved ones. Now settled in her new neighborhood, Manay decided to take that ritual outdoors and invite others to participate.

“We wanted to create it outdoors and share it with the community,” she explains. “Día de Muertos felt like the right way to honor him and bring his spirit into this space.”

With help from her husband, Tom Konik, 41, the couple built the altar’s frame and lined it with felt so neighbors could pin up photos of their own pets. They filled it with framed pictures, miniature dog statues, candle holders, and vases collected from Latino stores around the country. At its center stands a vintage statue of an Italian greyhound, symbolizing all dogs who have crossed the rainbow bridge.

“We wanted to have fresh marigolds, so we planted some in our backyard that we got from a farm,” Manay adds. “That way, we could have fresh flowers throughout the month.”

What began as a small family tribute soon blossomed into a community memorial. Neighbors stopped by to add photos, flowers, dog treats, and toys — transforming the ofrenda into a vibrant, emotional display of shared love and remembrance.

“Those simple gestures made it feel even more special and alive,” Manay says. “It’s become more than just for us. It’s a way to connect with others who have also loved and lost their pets.”

One passerby, content creator Sandra Duran, discovered the altar and shared a video of it on TikTok. “As a Mexican and a dog mom, this wrecked me 😭😭😭 One of the most beautiful ofrendas and altares I’ve seen 🥺🧡,” she wrote in her caption.

The video quickly went viral, gaining over 2.7 million views and thousands of comments. Messages began arriving from around the world — even from Manay’s friends who were surprised to see the altar online.

“Seeing it spread so quickly and touch so many people was emotional and heartwarming,” Manay says. “It feels good to be seen, because animal grief can be so isolating. To many people, they’re ‘just animals,’ but for some of us, they’re family — and losing them can be truly devastating.”

For Manay, the most meaningful moments come from seeing others pause at the altar — to hang a photo, share a story, or stand quietly in reflection.

“Some smiled, others teared up,” she recalls. “It became a space where people could reflect and feel connected, even if they didn’t know each other. That sense of community and shared understanding was incredibly meaningful.”

“It’s become more than an altar; it’s a living tradition that keeps their memory alive,” she adds. “We’re saving all the photos from this year in a binder so their stories remain part of the ofrenda for years to come.”