Bobbie the Wonder Dog

Oregon collie traveled almost 3000 miles to return home and inspired books, a film and thousands of fans.

In 1923, Oregon residents Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brazier traveling to Wolcott, Indiana, lost their beloved Scotch collie named Bobbie. They searched everywhere but couldn’t find Bobbie so returned home to Silverton heartbroken. They never expected to see poor Bobbie again.

Six months later, in February 1924, a mangy, emaciated and paw-worn Bobbie showed up at their door. The dog had walked through 2,800 wintry miles of plains, Rocky Mountains and the Cascades to find an extremely grateful—and shocked—family. The Oregon Humane Society looked into the incredible claim that Bobbie had traveled those miles and confirmed it was legit.

Naturally, the media went crazy, writing about Bobbie the “Wonder Dog” in newspapers, books, the silent film “The Call of the West” and in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not.” Bobby received a “Freedom of the City” medal from the mayor and was guest of honor at the Portland Home Show where thousands came to see the miraculous dog.

Bobbie died in 1927 and received an honorable burial with Portland Mayor George Baker giving the eulogy and Hollywood German shepherd star Rin Tin Tin laying a wreath on his grave, although how he did that, I’m not sure.

If you visit Silverton about an hour south of Portland, Bobbie is present everywhere, from a long mural along South Water Street to a statue in front of the movie theater.