Companion

In the children’s cemetery Iepenhof in Delft a beautiful hedge surrounds the children’s graves lying in a circle. In the center of the circle, visible from every point of the children’s cemetery, stands a statue of a lying shepherd dog. A dog who watches over all the children buried there.

‘a dog for you’

While making this sculpture, I thought how difficult it would be to not be able to take care of your child, to have to leave a small child all alone.
A big comrade, awake and loyal, seemed to me a comforting thought.

– Christian Wisse

The statue is a symbol of comfort and protection, man’s best friend and trusted companion. This statue was in desperate need of renovation. So the project ‘A Dog for You’ was set up by Robert Lupker to raise the necessary funds for the restoration.

A brother

The project would also ensure the making of a second dog statue. As comforting as the first does, as brother and comrade to be placed in a new extension to the cemetery. Despite the sadness of this necessary extension, the two dogs would watch over the children’s final resting places, creating an atmosphere of warmth and safety.

Meanwhile, at ‘The Force of Delft’ – an event which celebrates the achievements of the city’s entrepreneurs – Orange Pearl won the Public Award in 2015 for giving a face to the city of Delft. We were honored that the public had voted for us.

Together we can

At Orange Pearl we care about making the world a better place. Founder Floris Koumans never misses an opportunity to follow his heart and do the right thing. When he took to the stage to collect the award he announced that Orange Pearl would donate 5,000 euro to the ‘A Dog for You’ project – half of the funding needed. Calling upon the influential audience, Floris asked everyone in the room to help and to take care of the rest of the donations. Needless to say, all the funds were in place the next day. The restoration could begin.

In the spring of 2016 both dogs were brought to their places in the children’s cemetery. The new dog watches the elder dog over the hedge and so they form a couple. Together they protect the passed away children and offer support to their family.