by Joy Neighbors, A Grave Interest
Greyfriars Bobby is the most popular
Dandy Dinmont Terrier in the world. Bobby belonged to John Gray, who worked as a night watchman for the Edinburgh, Scotland police force in the 19th century. Bobby went everywhere with John, including on his watchman rounds.
But John became ill of consumption and died on February 15, 1858. Bobby was inconsolable. He followed the coffin to the gravesite in Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Kirkyard and remained there for another
fourteen years.
When it was decreed that all dogs must
have a license in 1867, the lord provost, Sir William Chambers paid for Bobby’s
license so he could remain in the cemetery by his master’s side. His collar tag
read:
 |
| Bobby’s Collar |
“Greyfriars Bobby – from the lord Provost, 1867, licensed”
The people of Edinburgh
took care of Bobby, bringing him food and blankets so he didn’t have to leave
his master’s grave for long. During
Bobby’s life he was awarded the Key to the City of Edinburgh, and his collar
now rests in the Museum of Edinburgh.
“Greyfriars Bobby – Died 14th January 1872 – Aged 16 years
Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all”
Bobby passed away on January 14, 1872, at the age of 16 and was buried just inside the cemetery grounds at the front gate about 75-yards from John’s
grave. In 1981, Bobby received a marker
for his grave, which reads:
In 2021, a special memorial was erected to Greyfriars Bobby to mark the 150th
anniversary of his passing. It can be found along the east wall of the
cemetery.
