Bobbie the Wonder Dog: A True Story

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Let’s break it down. Dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to a measly 6 million in humans. Young or old, everyone loves a good dog story. And it’s even better when the story is true. In “Bobbie the Wonder Dog,” Tricia Brown tells the true story of a Collie mix that became famous in the 1920s. He was born with a bobbed tail and raised on a farm with the Brazier family. When they moved to town to open a restaurant, they sold Bobbie with the farm. But he refused to stay there and eventually convinced his family that he belonged in town with them. “There was no stopped Bobbie.” 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.

a b c d e John, Finn J.D. “Wonder Dog’s” 2,500-mile odyssey put Silverton on the map January 2, 2011 offbeatoregon.com They had many great traits that allowed them to make significant contributions to the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. But they were also human, weak, and fallible—just as you and I are. Some found themselves at variance with the Prophet Joseph Smith and fell away from the Church. Later, many of the same people had a change of heart, humbled themselves, and once again sought and found fellowship with the Saints. No matter your position in your community or in the Church, God will use you, if you are willing. He will magnify your righteous desires and turn the compassionate actions you sow into a bountiful harvest of goodness. We Can’t Get There on AutopilotI testify that when we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better. 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. The Braziers widened their search. They scoured the town by car and foot. Flyers were posted around town, and ads were placed in the local newspaper. Calls were made to nearby businesses asking if anyone had spotted Bobbie. 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

Nearly a century ago, a family from Oregon was vacationing in Indiana—over 2,000 miles (3,200 km) away—when they lost their beloved dog, Bobbie. The frantic family searched for the dog everywhere but to no avail. Bobbie could not be found.

The fires and tumults of mortal life may threaten and frighten, but those who incline their hearts to God will be encircled by His peace. Their joy will not be diminished. They will not be abandoned or forgotten. Bobbie's demonstration of loyalty is celebrated during Silverton's annual children's pet parade that serves as a reminder of the special 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. [7] A 70-foot-long (21m) outdoor painting featuring Bobbie's story is part of a series of murals that decorate the walls of businesses in Silverton. [8]

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. Cross-country travel was still a novel and risky undertaking in 1923. The Ford Model T had made car travel accessible to middle-class Americans just 15 years prior. The Interstate Highway system was still decades away. Even historic Route 66 would not start construction for another three years. Motorists largely depended on local roads at a time when reliable maps were hard to come by. It would take the Brazier’s weeks to complete their trip. 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. The wiki article for Bobbie is criminally short. In addition to the embedded sources above, I relied on several external sources to compile this story: When I read of this powerful instinct in animals, I can’t help but wonder, “Is it possible that human beings have a similar yearning—an inner guidance system, if you will—that draws them to their heavenly home?”After a happy reunion, Bobbie became a celebrity. He was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not. He even starred in a silent movie called The Call of the West, where he played himself. Bobbie was showered with fan mails, he received medals from various societies, and he was the guest of honor at the Portland Home Show, where over 40,000 people came to view him, and he was presented with his own dog-sized bungalow. No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest. In 1923, something extraordinary happened.The Brazier family set off on a trip to Wolcott, Indiana, accompanied by their faithful collie mix, Bobbie. You will experience the sublime fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, [and] faith.” 5

This arid, elevated area is known for its unique geological features and diverse landscapes.But it wasn’t just the scenery that proved to be challenging. We might have a tendency to judge these brethren and other members like them. We might say, “I would never have abandoned the Prophet Joseph.”

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. 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. Bobbie’s conjectured route was published alongside his story in the Feb. 24 edition of The Sunday Oregonian, a newspaper based out of Portland. It indicates that after leaving Wolcott, he ventured west through Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. After reaching Lincoln, Nebraska, he pivoted slightly northwest, taking him through the Sandhills of central Nebraska to Cheyanne, Wyoming. From here he crossed the entire breadth of Wyoming state and made it to Pocatello, Idaho.