In a patch of twisted old yew trees on the edge of New Orleans’ West End Park, a wooden bench beckons passersby to take a load off and listen to the birds twitter.
Where the clump of non-native trees came from is largely a mystery — they’ve been there for as long as anyone nearby can remember.
But the biggest mystery of all sits at the center of the grove: the weathered statue of a large dog, frozen in time, panting and staring into the distance…