Bobbie the Wonder Dog facts for kids
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| Species | Dog |
|---|---|
| Breed | Scottish Collie |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | 1921 |
| Died | 1927 |
| Resting place | Oregon Humane Society |
| Nation from | American |
| Known for | Traveling over 2,500 miles across the United States |
Bobbie the Wonder Dog (1921–1927) was an amazing dog. He traveled over 2,500 miles all by himself to find his way back home to Silverton, Oregon, in the United States. His owners had accidentally lost him while visiting family in Wolcott, Indiana. Some people, like the famous Ripley's Believe It or Not!, even thought his journey might have been as long as 3,000 miles!
Contents
Bobbie's Story
How Bobbie Got Lost
In August 1923, a family named the Braziers (Frank, Elizabeth, and their daughters Leona and Nova) were visiting relatives. They were in Wolcott, Indiana. Their two-year-old dog, Bobbie, was a mix of a Scotch Collie and an English Shepherd. Sadly, Bobbie was attacked by three other dogs and ran away.
The Brazier family searched everywhere for Bobbie. They were very sad when they couldn't find him. They had to continue their trip and then go back home to Oregon. They thought they would never see their beloved dog again.
The Incredible Journey Home
Six months later, in February 1924, something incredible happened. Bobbie showed up back in Silverton! He looked very different. He was dirty, skinny, and his toenails were completely worn down. This showed that he had walked the entire distance. He even swam across rivers and crossed the Continental Divide. This was during the coldest part of winter!
Bobbie traveled at least 2,551 miles (4,105 km) across plains, deserts, and mountains. He did this all during winter. On average, he walked about 14 miles (23 km) every day. After he returned to Silverton, he became very famous. His story was shared in many newspapers across the country.
Bobbie Becomes Famous
Bobbie's amazing journey was featured in many places. These included newspaper articles, books, and even a movie. He even played himself in a 1924 silent film called The Call of the West. Bobbie received hundreds of letters from people all over the world. He was given a special harness and collar with jewels. He also received ribbons and even keys to cities!
People who had helped Bobbie on his journey wrote to the Brazier family. They shared stories about how they fed and sheltered him. The Humane Society of Portland used these stories. They were able to figure out a good idea of the path Bobbie took.
The humane society believed that Bobbie first went back to Wolcott. When he couldn't find his owners, he followed their travel path into northeast Indiana. Then, he started heading in different directions, probably trying to find their scent. Eventually, he headed west.
During their original trip, the Braziers had stopped at service stations each night. Bobbie visited each of these stops on his way home. He also visited many homes and even a camp where homeless people stayed. In Portland, an Irish woman cared for him. She helped him recover from serious injuries to his legs and paws.
Bobbie's Legacy
His Final Resting Place
Bobbie passed away in 1927. He was buried with special honors at the Oregon Humane Society's pet cemetery in Portland. A week later, another famous dog, the German Shepherd film star Rin Tin Tin, placed a wreath at Bobbie's grave. Bobbie's grave is protected by a "fancy white and red dog house." This house was given to him during a special event. His gravestone has been moved outside the house so more people can see it.
Remembering Bobbie
Bobbie showed incredible loyalty. His story is celebrated every year in Silverton. The town holds an annual children's pet parade. This event reminds everyone how special animals and pets are in our lives. The parade started several years after Bobbie died. His son, Pal, led the very first parade.
There is also a large outdoor painting in Silverton. It is 70-foot-long (21 m) and tells Bobbie's story. It is part of a series of murals that decorate buildings in the town.
In late 2012, many people felt that Bobbie's burial place in Portland didn't truly honor his story. They also felt it didn't show his strong connection to his hometown. So, a group of people in Silverton started a movement. Their goal was to bring Bobbie's remains back to Silverton. They wanted to rebury him there and create a special memorial.
See also
- In Spanish: Bobbie el perro maravilla para niños
