San Jose pet owners honor deceased animals with special Día de los Muertos altars

San Jose pet lovers gathered Tuesday to honor the spirits of beloved animals who have passed on during a community-led Día de los Muertos observance. At Unity Bulldogs, a pet grooming business in San Jose, the owner has built an altar so both clients and the community can bring in photos of beloved pets they have lost and honor them. The sad part is our pets pass away, and these doggies have helped us so much while they were still with us, said Mario Rodriguez, owner of Unity Bulldogs. Rodriguez built his first altar six years ago, and now dozens of photos are on display. This year, the offering has special meaning because his own dog, Drago, passed away last month. It definitely helps me heal a lot. He had a good life and he helped me create everything we have today, Rodriguez said. NBC Bay Area reporter Marianne Favro visited the ofrenda in San Jose to show how pet lovers are paying tribute to their furry family members. This ofrenda began here at Unity Bulldog