It is very sad that dogs are not blessed with a long life span when compared to humans. But then also some dogs are remembered even after decades or centuries. One of the most famous of these statues in the world is the statue of Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh, Scotland. The famous statue memorializes a loyal Skye Terrier dog who has been the subject of legends for more than a century.
Recently the Scots remembered the famous dog on its 150 death anniversary. So who was he and why he was so popular that his statue was made? Well, Bobby’s claim to fame was simply being a very loyal dog: according to legend, he waited by his owner’s grave for 14 years after he [ᴅ.ɪᴇᴅ].
“Greyfriars Bobby epitomised loyalty, dedication, and there’s no surprise that dogs are of course man’s best friend.”
While the story’s accuracy is sometimes questioned by historians, the most famous telling says that Bobby was the dog of a nightwatchman named John Gray. Gray died of tuberculosis in 1858 and after that Bobby was heartbroken. He spent the rest of his guarding his owner’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard, which is a church graveyard. Despite efforts by the churchyard’s keepers to keep Bobby out or find him a new place to live, the dog kept coming back. While dogs weren’t allowed in the graveyard, Bobby became famous among the locals, who were moved by his unending loyalty.
He would only leave the graveyard once a day: at 1 PM, he would visit Temperance Coffee House for a meal — just like he had always done with his late owner.
He spent 14 long years by the [ɢ.ʀᴀᴠᴇsɪᴛᴇ] and he [ᴅ.ɪᴇᴅ] on January 14, 1872, from ill Till the last moment, he was by the side of his owner’s grave.
In order to remember the dog and his loyalty, a bronze statue was erected on top of a fountain and it was a famous stop for visitors to Edinburgh. There are several shops and pubs in that area named after Greyfriars Bobby. Many people come and take photos of the statue.
