Bobbie the Wonder Dog (1921–1927) was a dog who is acclaimed for walking on his own to return home to Silverton, Oregon, United States, after he was lost while his owners were visiting family in Wolcott, Indiana. ''

Ripley's Believe It or Not! ''Ripley's Believe It or Not!'' is an American franchise founded by Robert Ripley, which deals with bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that readers might question the claims. Originally a newspaper panel, the ''Believe It or Not'' ...

'' estimated the journey may have been as long as .

Life

In August 1923, Frank and Elizabeth Brazier, with their daughters Leona and Nova, were visiting relatives in Wolcott, Indiana. Their two-year-old

Scotch Collie The Rough Collie (also known as the Long-Haired Collie) is a long-coated dog breed of medium to large size that, in its original form, was a type of collie used and bred for Herding dog, herding sheep in Scotland. More recent breeding has focus ...

English Shepherd The English Shepherd is a breed of herding dog from the United States. Description The English Shepherd is a medium-sized breed of dog, it weighs between and stands between , males are typically larger than females. The breed has a long, strai ...

mix dog, Bobbie, was attacked by three other dogs and ran away. After a search, the Brazier family were unable to find Bobbie and continued their trip before returning home to Oregon. In February 1924 (six months later), Bobbie returned to Silverton. He showed all the signs of having walked the entire distance, including swimming rivers and crossing the

Continental Divide A continental divide is a drainage divide on a continent such that the drainage basin on one side of the divide feeds into one ocean or sea, and the basin on the other side either feeds into a different ocean or sea, or else is endorheic, not ...

during the coldest part of winter.He crossed to return home, an average of approximately per day. After his return to Silverton, he experienced a rise to fame. His story drew attention and was featured in numerous newspapers.He was the subject of newspaper articles including ''

'', books, and film. Bobbie played himself in the 1924

silent film A silent film is a film without synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, w ...

''The Call of the West''. He received hundreds of letters from people around the world and was honored with a jewel-studded harness and collar, ribbons, and keys to cities.

Fosters

People who had fed and sheltered Bobbie on his journey wrote the family to tell about their time with Bobbie. The Humane Society of Portland was able to use these stories to assemble a relatively precise description of the route Bobbie took.John, Finn J.D.
"Wonder Dog's" 2,500-mile odyssey put Silverton on the map
January 2, 2011 offbeatoregon.com The Humane Society concluded that after returning to Wolcott, Bobbie initially followed their further travels into Indiana. He then struck out in several directions, apparently seeking their scent. He eventually headed west.The Braziers had parked their car in a service station each night. Their dog visited each of these stops on his journey, along with a number of homes, and a

hobo A hobo is a migrant worker in the United States. Hoboes, tramps, and bums are generally regarded as related, but distinct: a hobo travels and is willing to work; a tramp travels, but avoids work if possible; a bum neither travels nor works. Et ...

camp.In Portland, an Irish woman took care of him for a period of time, helping him recover from serious injuries to his legs and paws.

Death and legacy

Upon his death in 1927, he was buried at the Oregon Humane Society's

pet cemetery A pet cemetery is a cemetery for pets. Although the veneration and burial of beloved pets has been practiced since ancient times, burial grounds reserved specifically for animals were not common until the late 19th century. History Many hum ...

Portland Portland most commonly refers to: *Portland, Oregon, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon *Portland, Maine, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine *Isle of Portland, a tied island in the English Channel Portland may also r ...

. German Shepherd film star

Rin Tin Tin Rin Tin Tin or Rin-Tin-Tin (October 10, 1918 – August 10, 1932) was a male German Shepherd born in Flirey, France, who became an international star in motion pictures. He was rescued from a World War I battlefield by an American soldier, ...

laid a wreath at his grave. His grave is sheltered by a "fancy white and red dog house" received during an appearance at the Portland Home Show. The gravestone has been moved outside the house for better viewing.Bobbie's demonstration of loyalty is celebrated during Silverton's annual children's pet parade that serves as a reminder of the place animals and pets have in people's lives. The event was started several years after Bobbie's death and the first parade was led by his son, Pal. A outdoor painting featuring Bobbie's story is part of a series of murals that decorate the walls of businesses in Silverton. In 2012, responding to public sentiment that his burial location in Portland did not properly honor his story and his connection to his hometown, a grassroots movement was started by a group of Silvertonians with the goal of repatriating Bobbie's remains to Silverton, for reburial and memorialization.Bring Bobbie Home
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Notes

References

External links

Detail of Silverton Bobbie mural
from Susan Stelljes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bobbie The Wonder Dog 1921 animal births 1927 animal deaths Individual dogs in the United States Missing or escaped animals Oregon culture Silverton, Oregon