The son of Pal's trainer, Rudd Weatherwax, said his father was very affected upon the death of Pal in 1958. "It hit him very hard when Pal died. He buried him in a special place on the ranch and would often visit the grave. Dad would never again watch an MGM Lassie movie. He just couldn't bear to see Pal. He didn't want to have to be reminded of just how much he loved that dog".