Bobby

It is a cliché to say that the British love dogs. My earlier entry on Station Jim is a dog story that is rather obscure (and bizarre). A much more famous canine tale is that of Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh. The legendary story of Bobby is one of fidelity and faithfulness, which is why it probably has lasting appeal.

The story goes that Bobby’s master, a policeman by the name of John Gray, died in 1858 of tuberculosis. From the day of the funeral until the day Bobby died on 14 January 1872, the Skye terrier kept a vigil at his master’s grave site. Dignitaries from around Britain came to meet Bobby and later a drinking fountain was erected in his honor. Since that time books and films have been written to celebrate the terrier’s devotion to his master and duty, including the 1961 Disney film Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog.

Ah, but this great story may not be quite what it appears. Naysayers note that there is evidence that the whole legend was cooked up to boost tourism along Candlemaker Row, the street where the statue now stands. In fact, there might have been a second dog to carry on the story after the original Bobby died. Frankly, seeing a dog lay upon a mound of dirt for days seems a little far-fetched; however, this is not to say it is impossible. What the legend points to is what we want to be true. We want dogs (and people) to be true and faithful companions. Thus, even if the story stretches the truth a little we will buy into the myth. The habits of dogs, unquestioned loyalty, is what we want in our friends and companions.