It was a delight to share some animal stories in my new book All God’s Creatures, which will be released on November 17. Though the book has a great deal of Scripture and deals with theological topics (which are certainly important and, I believe, compelling!), I also wanted to include enjoyable stories for readers. Some of them are more lighthearted; some are especially touching. One of my favorites—and in my opinion, one of the most remarkable—even has a connection to my home state of Oregon.
In February 1924, the Brazier family of Silverton, Oregon were shocked to see their two-year-old scotch-collie mix Bobbie appear on their doorstep. They’d been certain they wouldn’t see him again. Why? Because during a car trip to Indiana, he’d disappeared, after being chased off by some local dogs. Finally, after a desperate search, the brokenhearted family returned home.
Then six months later, Bobbie showed up at their house, mangy and scrawny, his toenails worn down to almost nothing. He appeared to have walked the entire distance—nearly 3,000 miles—with no map, no GPS, no human to guide him. He was utterly exhausted; his family fed him a sirloin steak and a bowl of cream, and Bobbie didn’t move for three days!
Officials from the Oregon Humane Society launched an investigation into the family’s claims because they were so unbelievable. By talking to witnesses who had seen him at campsites between Indiana and Oregon, some of whom had given him food, they confirmed that somehow Bobbie had indeed traveled the entire distance, the last three months of it in the dead of winter. (Bobbie lived in an era where dogs in rural or small towns usually didn’t wear tags; so this wasn’t a case of a kind soul tracking down his home and taking him there!)
Dogs have been known to follow the scents of people on foot for hundreds of miles. That’s extraordinary. But to follow his family who rode in a car traveling thousands of miles? Bobbie’s journey defies explanation.
Across the Great Plains, through high desert, and over mountains—including the Rockies and the Cascades—and then along highways and city streets, Bobbie had undoubtedly faced many dangers. Did kind strangers help him? Did angels guide him? Did God magnify his natural instincts? However it happened, Bobbie pressed on, no doubt fighting hunger, fatigue, and countless obstacles. Once he reached home, he lived out the rest of his life with his adoring family. To this day, only God understands how Bobbie made it.
His story went viral, long before the internet or social media. Newspapers across the country told his story of love and perseverance. Bobbie was featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and a 1924 silent film, “The Call of the West,” starred Bobbie himself. A hundred years later, in the little town of Silverton, a statue of Bobbie and a mural telling his story honor his memory. Here’s a picture of that statute, which Stephanie, one of our EPM staff, sent me:
Check out these photos of Bobbie and his family. And here’s a six-minute video that a local news station put together about him:
Bobbie’s loyalty is a reflection of his Creator’s steadfast and loyal love: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
It’s no stretch for me to believe that the same God who will one day reward faithful humans for their labors in this life might also reward faithful creatures like Bobbie—and countless others—for their love and loyalty and willingness to do seemingly impossible feats to be reunited with their families.
