Dog history IV: Bobbie

Bobbie was a crossbreed of a collie and an Australian Shepherd. He lived with his family in the town of Silverton in Oregon. In 1923, when he was two years old, the family went on a trip to Indiana and took him along. But he got lost there. Despite the family looking hard for him, they came back home without him, filled with sorrow, thinking, that they were never going to see their dog again.

However, after six months, the impossible came true: Bobbie appeared on the doorstep of their home. Dirty and emaciated, with the paws worn-out, but alive. He showed all the sings, that for the whole way – that is 4,105 km across plains, deserts and mountains in winter – he walked without any help. That is 23 km a day on average.

After his return to Silverton, Bobbie’s fame grew with rocket speed. His story became a subject matter of a number of newspaper articles (including the Ripley’s Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction), books and films. He even played himself in 1924 in the silent film The Call of the West. He got many letters from people from the whole world and he even received several awards such as a diamond-studded collar, ribbons or keys of towns.

Bobbie died in 1927 and he was buried with honours on the animal graveyard called Oregon Humane Society's pet cemetery in Portland. A wreath was laid on his grave even by Rin Tin Tin, the dog film star.

Until today, Bobbie’s example of loyalty is celebrated during the annual children’s parade of pets in Portland. It serves as a reminder of the fact that pets have a special place in the lives of people. This event was started several years after Bobbie’s death and the first parade was led by his son Pal. In Silverton, you can also find a 21-meters-long painting which decorates walls of several enterprises and which depicts Bobbie’s story.

By the end of 2012, a civic society of the citizens of the town of Silverton was established, which advocates the opinion that Bobbie’s funeral didn’t successfully honour his story and his connection with his home town. This society started to ask for the return of his remains to Silverton for a funeral and memorialisation.

It is incredible, what some dogs are capable of enduring for their family – pack. We can only wish, that their loyalty is reciprocated to the same degree.