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4 & a Tail

Dog and Cat Animal Rescue, Shelter

and Adoption Services Since 1994

email: adoption@4andatail.org

GREYFRIARS BOBBY

Greyfriars is one of Edinburgh's most famous kirkyards. Many stories are linked to Greyfriars but the one known best is that of Greyfriars Bobby

In 1858, a man named John Gray was buried in old Greyfriars Churchyard. His grave leveled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, became scarcely discernible. 

But, although no human interest seemed attached to it, the sacred spot was far from disregarded or forgotten. For fourteen years the dead man's faithful dog kept constant watch and guard over the grave until his own death in 1872.

The famous Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby was so devoted to his master John Gray, even in death, that for fourteen years, Bobby lay on the grave only leaving for food.

It is reported that a daily occurrence of people from all walks of life would stand at the entrance of the Kirkyard waiting for the one o'clock gun and the appearance of Bobby leaving the grave for his midday meal.

Sergeant Stubby

Stubby, of unknown breed, but possibly a bull terrier mix, was found as a stray at the age of several weeks on the Yale campus in 1917 by John Robert Conroy. When Conroy's unit shipped out to France, Stubby was smuggled aboard the USS Minnesota.

Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division on the Western Front (World War I) in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 17 battles. He was honored with many medals which he wore on a chamois coat that was made for him by the women of Château-Thierry.

Stubby learned to warn his unit of poison gas attacks, located wounded soldiers in no man's land, and — since he could hear the whine of incoming shells before humans could — became very adept at letting his unit know when to duck for cover. He was even solely responsible for capturing a German spy. Stubby was wounded several times, and learned to approximate a salute.

At the very end of the war, Stubby met President Woodrow Wilson and shook his hand. After the war, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in many parades. In 1921 he was awarded a special gold medal by General John Pershing for service to his country.

Stubby's remains are preserved at the Smithsonian Institute.

Stubby's Medals:

BALTO

In 1925, a life-or-death race to rescue the children of Nome, AK, from disease made an international hero of one sled dog

In January 1925, doctors realized that a potentially deadly diphtheria epidemic was poised to sweep through Nome's young people. The only serum that could stop the outbreak was in Anchorage, nearly a thousand miles away.

But the lone aircraft that could quickly deliver the medicine had been dismantled for the winter. In desperation, officials turned to man's best friend and ally, the dog.

Dogs embarked from Anchorage on the first leg of a remarkable dog-sled relay aimed at delivering the needed serum to Nome.  More than 20 teams took part, battling temperatures that rarely rose above 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.  Winds often blinded human sled-masters who responded by allowing their dogs to blaze a trail.

Incredibly, just six days later, on February 2, 1925, a dog team led by Balto raced into into the streets of Nome, with medicine to save the children.

Dorado

A doggie hero of 911's Terrorism

World Trade Center, NYC

Dorado's blind human friend was unfortunate enough to find himself on the 71st floor of the World Trade Center north tower when the hijacked airliner struck the building 25 floors above him.  His guide dog "Dorado" was lying under the desk at the time.

Unleashing his faithful friend, so that the dog might escape, the four-year-old Labrador Retriever suppressed any selfish instinct for survival and instead stayed by the man's side and guided him to safety.

"I stood up and I could hear how pieces of glass were flying around and falling. I could feel the smoke filling up my lungs and the heat was just unbearable.

"Not having any sight I knew I wouldn't be able to run down the stairs and through all the obstacles like other people. I was resigned to dying and decided to free Dorado to give him a chance of escape. It wasn't fair that we should both die in that hell.

"I thought I was lost forever—the noise and the heat were terrifying—but I had to give Dorado the chance of escape. So I unclipped his lead, ruffled his head, gave him a nudge and ordered Dorado to go.

"I hoped he would be able to quickly run down the stairs without me and get to safety. I thought he'd be so scared he'd run. Everything was in chaos. Glass was shattering around my head and people were rushing past down the stairs."

Thinking he was a gonner and alone, the unexpected occurred, in the form of a familiar, fuzzy nudge from knee-high.

"He returned to my side a few minutes later and guided me down 70 flights and out into the street. It was amazing. It was then I knew for certain he loved me just as much as I loved him. He was prepared to die in the hope he might save my life."  And Dorado did just that!