Bobbie the Wonder Dog: A True Story

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Bobbie's story was featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not" and Bobbie, a Great Collie, by Charles Alexander. Bobbie played himself in the silent film The Call of the West, a reel of which is in the archives of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library. This path would have dragged Bobbie through some of the most remote regions of the western United States, including several national parks and numerous reserved wilderness areas. After several months of cutting across the midwest and travelling the vast distances of the Great Plains, he would have eventually hit the mountain ranges of the Continental Divide during the dead of winter. The Great Divide Bobbie’s astonishing journey reaches its final stretch as he enters the dense forests of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon, taking him through Malheur National Forest. Every step brings new challenges! The Savior extends His hand to you. And, as He did to those fishermen who stood long ago on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, with infinite love He speaks to you: “Come, follow me.” 2 His memory is still celebrated in his hometown of Silverton, Oregon. An annual pet parade is held in his honor, the first of which was led by Bobbie’s own son, Pal. A 70-foot-long mural illustrating his life was painted along the busiest street in town. At one end of it sits a life-size statue of Bobbie along with a replica of his famous dog house, a frequent tourist destination. Sources

This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow. We all know of faithful followers of Christ who suffer tragedy and injustice—Jesus Christ Himself suffered more than anyone. Just as God makes the “sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” He also allows adversity to test the just and the unjust. 4 In fact, sometimes it seems that our lives are more difficult because we are trying to live our faith. That Bobbie survived his crossing is extraordinary. Winter in these mountains is merciless. Temperatures rarely drift above freezing and heavy blizzards depositing up to 100 inches of snow per season. Mountain trails become impassible. Cloudy skies and imposing peaks permit just four hours of sunlight each day. And let’s not forget the predators – coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, and birds of prey – all ready to pounce, keeping Bobbie on high alert. Coyotes and bobcats roamed the Great Plains, meaning Bobbie had to stay vigilant and defend himself at every turn. But wait, there’s more!

You cannot just float in the waters of life and trust that the current will take you wherever you hope to be one day. Discipleship requires our willingness to swim upstream when needed. From Pocatello, Bobbie appears to have followed the course of the Snake River through the relatively low-lying Snake River Plain to the city of Pendleton in northeast Oregon. In Pendleton, he turned sharply west again and headed to Portland, following the mighty Columbia river towards the ocean. He bisected the Cascade Mountains at the Columbia River Gorge, a deep and narrow canyon that serves as the only navigable route through the Cascades. From there, it was just short dash south through the lush, flat Willamette Valley before he was home. The upset of Bobbie's loss is soon relieved by the inside story of Bobbie's adventures as he attempts to find his way home to Oregon. Despite dangers and some hospitality along his route, "there was no stopping Bobbie." Of course, he eventually finds his way home to the Brazier family, and the joy is boundless. As Bobbie’s photo circulated across the globe, many began to recognize the peculiar pooch and his distinct features. Strangers wrote to the Braziers claiming to have either sighted or sheltered Bobbie on his cross-country odyssey. In August 1923, Bobbie—an average-looking collie puppy—accompanied his owners, the Braizer family, on a cross-country summer road trip from their home in Silverton, Oregon, to Wolcott, Indiana, where they were visiting some relatives. While filling up gas at a station in Wolcott, Bobbie was chased away by some street dogs. The family waited for Bobbie to return, but he did not. They placed ads on newspapers and after a week of intense searching, the Brazier family gave up hope. Heartbroken, they continued their trip before returning home to Oregon, expecting never to see their dog again.

The width of Snake River varies dramatically, from a few hundred feet to over a mile wide!Swimming across this unpredictable body of water would’ve been a Herculean task. Sure, parts of the river can freeze during winter, but it’s rare to see the entire expanse covered in ice.During World War I, dog breeds such as Collies, Retrievers, Sheep Dogs, and Airedale Terriers were used to carry messages between battle stations on the Western Front in Europe. Their intelligence, bravery, and navigational skills while carrying important messages helped save many lives. Upon his death in 1927, he was buried with honors at the Oregon Humane Society's pet cemetery in Portland. A week later, German Shepherd film star Rin Tin Tin laid a wreath at his grave. [1] [3] His grave is sheltered by a "fancy white and red dog house" received during a promotional appearance at the Portland Home Show. [1] The gravestone has been moved outside the house for better viewing. [6] Characterized by flat, open landscapes, grasslands, and prairies, the Great Plains posed a unique set of challenges for our determined canine.

But that’s not all! The olfactory bulb in a dog’s brain can be up to 40 times larger than ours, making them incredibly efficient at processing odors. Richard, Terry (March 21, 2008). "Silverton wears its history on its walls". The Oregonian . Retrieved March 27, 2012. The sublime message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that God is our Father, that He cares about us, and that there is a way to return to Him. 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. [4] Death and legacy [ edit ] Those who heed the inner call and seek God, those who pray, believe, and walk the path the Savior has prepared—even if they stumble along the path at times—receive the consoling assurance that “all things shall work together for [their] good.” 7Stelljes, Susan (2005). Wonder Dog: The Story of Silverton Bobbie in His Own Words. Portland, Oregon: For the Love of Dog Books. ISBN 978-0-9761124-7-1.

Six months later, the family was stunned to find Bobbie on their doorstep in Oregon. “Mangy, scrawny, feet worn to the bone—[he] appeared to have walked the entire distance … by himself.” 1 Bobbie’s story captured the imagination of people across the United States, and he became known as Bobbie the Wonder Dog.Combine these two traits, and you get a dog’s sense of smell that’s up to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. Imagine the incredible feats they can achieve with a nose like that! Traveling Through The Great Plains No one else is responsible for your personal journey. The Savior will help you and prepare the way before you, but the commitment to follow Him and keep His commandments must come from you. That is your sole burden, your sole privilege. In Portland, Oregon, he (Rin Tin Tin) was welcomed as a 'distinguished canine visitor' and met at the train station by the city's school superintendent, the chief of police, and the head of the local Human Society; then he made a statesmanlike pilgrimage to the grave of Bobby the Oregon Wonder Dog, a local legend who was said to have walked from Indiana to Oregon to reconnect with his owners. During the ceremony, according to news reports, "Rin Tin Tin with his own teeth placed the flowers on Bobby's grave and then in a moment's silence laid his head on the cross marking the resting place of the dog who gave his life to give the world another stirring example of a dog's devotion and faithfulness to his master." (Taken in part from Rin Tin Tin by Susan Orleans) Another pressing concern?Water. In this arid region, water resources were few and far between. Bobbie’s survival depended on finding the occasional creek, pond, or simply hoping for rain or snow. Food was equally scarce.