‘He was my best friend’: San Jose homeless family memorializes their poisoned dog

A HOMELESS MAN and his son have built a Dia de los Muertos altar near a freeway overpass to honor his dog that was killed.

Candles, marigolds, Christmas lights, skulls and drapes decorate the elaborate altar located at Seventh and East Virginia streets. At the center is a large framed picture of Nacho, Miguel Maruyama’s German shepherd. Maruyama said his 12-year-old dog was poisoned when his landlord evicted him earlier this year. The altar and his encampment, which sits on Caltrans property, is at risk of being swept.