Bobbie the Wonder Dog: A True Story

Tricia Brown

Description

This is the amazing true story of Bobbie the Wonder Dog, a legend in his own time who warmed the hearts of a nation. The Scotch collie mix was lost on a family trip from Oregon to Indiana in 1923 and walked all the way home, a six-month and almost 2,800-mile journey, to return to the people he loved.

"Brown takes a sensational news story and focuses on the devotion of one remarkable dog to bring this amazing story to young readers for the first time. Porter’s illustrations combine rich colors and vintage details to bring Bobbie to life on the pages through all of his adventures and hardships. A dog story as incredible now as it was nearly a century ago, gives Bobbie the Wonder Dog all the makings of a timeless classic."
—Midwest Book Review

"Porter's detailed and dramatically lit paintings trace Bobbie's difficult solo trip back to Oregon, crossing through snowy forests and rain-soaked fields. An end note reveals additional details about Bobbie's remarkable life, fleshing out a quietly inspiring story that's just as engrossing now as it was some 90 years ago."
—Publishers Weekly

Bob was an average-looking collie puppy in every way, except for his bobbed tail . . . and maybe that’s why the Brazier family named him Bob, or Bobbie. But he was average in no other way. In 1923, Bobbie joined Frank and Elizabeth Brazier for a cross-country drive from Silverton, Oregon, to Indiana, Frank’s home state, where they planned to visit family. During a stop in Indiana, Bobbie was chased off by loose dogs, and after a week of searching and placing newspaper ads, the broken-hearted Braziers had to give up and start the drive home.

Six months to the day after he was lost in Indiana, a very thin Bobbie was spotted on a Silverton sidewalk, his coat matted, his paws raw from wear. Unbelievable as it seemed, the three-year-old dog had WALKED almost 2,800 miles to get back home.

Though weak and tired, Bobbie went berserk with joy when he was reunited with his family, and from that day, all of their lives changed. In the weeks and months that followed, his story tore across the country in newspapers and even in a hardcover collection of pet stories. He was the main attraction at an Oregon home-builders convention in Portland, where thousands lined up to pet him, and he starred in a short feature film. Also, the Braziers eventually heard from people along Bobbie's homeward-bound route, places where he’d stopped long enough to recoup, and then he was gone again. These stories verified their thinking. Bobbie had done the impossible.

When Bobbie died, he was buried in Portland, Oregon, by the Oregon Humane Society. Rin Tin-Tin was there to lay a wreath at his funeral, which was officiated by the mayor of Portland. This incredible story is all true, and the origins of Lassie Come Home are said to be traced to the story of Bob of Silverton, also known as Bobbie, the Wonder Dog.

In 1923, there were no highways. The dirt roads were dusty, narrow, and bumpy, and cars moved a lot slower. Often the Braziers’ car was the only one around.

Through the long days, Bobbie entertained himself. If he spotted a rabbit, he launched off the car and raced after it. Sometimes an hour would pass before he returned to the road. As Bobbie neared, Frank slowed a bit, so he could hop aboard.

“Bobbie sure makes a long trip more fun, doesn’t he?” Frank said. Elizabeth smiled and nodded.
The Braziers never worried. No matter how far away their dog ran, no matter how tired he got, he always found his way back. There was no stopping Bobbie.

Sujets

• 20th Century
• Juvenile Nonfiction
• Oregón
• People & Places
• Silverton Bobbie
• Dog
• People
• General officer
• Places
• Dogs
• Animals
• General
• Silverton
• United States
• History
• Lassie
• US
• Oregon
• Indiana

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 12 avril 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781943328376
• Langue: English

Extrait

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the mi xed- breed col lie ju mped up in one ea sy le ap. This would be
his ri ding plac e.
obbie wa s go ing on vacati on! Just as his favo ri te ma n finis hed secu ring the lu gg age,
“Let’ s g o!” B obbie seemed to say , wagg ing his stu mpy ta il.
On that hot summ er day in 19 23, he didn ’t know that he was leavi ng on th e tri p of a life time . Bob bie cou ldn ’t know that by next year, he—j ust a regu lar farm dog fr om Sil vert on, Oreg on—w ould be famo us.
Tod ay all he cared ab out was a rid e wi th hi s peop le.