Any dog-lover knows that dogs are loyal and loving — but one Scottish dog demonstrated his loyalty so intensely that Walt Disney actually made a movie about the canine, and now the “actor” who played the dog’s role has just received a special posthumous honor!
The Story of Greyfriars Bobby
Back in 1961, Disney released a movie about a Skye Terrier named Bobby (full name Greyfriars Bobby) who stood vigil over his owner’s grave for a staggering 14 years in Edinburgh, Scotland. The movie was called Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog and can be found on Disney+.
Bobby was and still is considered to be a “local hero” in Edinburgh, even though he reportedly died on January 14 in the year 1872, and now the dog who played Bobby in the Disney movie has also ended up in Edinburgh!
Greyfriars Bobby film star dog honoured in Edinburgh
➡️ https://t.co/9VJckZGzuX pic.twitter.com/xnugJUcHsN
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) June 16, 2023
Donating a Disney Star’s Remains
Another Skye Terrier (who was named Tam, but became Bobby) played Greyfriars Bobby in the Disney film.
That same Bobby’s remains have just been donated to the Edinburgh city council (after 18 months of searching for them) and added to the city’s esteemed “archaeology collections.”
This donation was honored with a ceremony within Greyfriars Kirkyard on June 16, which was helmed by Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron and David Hunter (the man who “led the campaign to find the film star dog and have his ashes interred at the kirk”). The ceremony took place near the grave of the original Bobby.
Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron said the following during the touching ceremony: “Greyfriars Bobby’s memorial reads ‘Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all’. Countless visitors continue to see Bobby’s grave, his statue, and the many mementos of his life displayed in our Museum of Edinburgh”.
“I’m delighted that this further part of the iconic and timeless story of a little dog who would not leave his master’s grave is going to be on display for visitors to discover,” she added. “Bobby’s is a story held in enormous respect and affection by people around the world, as is the famous film it inspired. Bobby truly is a world-famous pet, holding a special place in people’s hearts and it’s lovely to be of this special commemoration.”
John Lawson, the archaeologist in charge of the remains of Disney’s Bobby, enthusiastically pointed out that “it’s not often as an archaeologist that you work on such a unique project to preserve the remains of a 1960’s film star.”
Just a Normal Dog
Dean Hunter, one of Bobby’s family members, was also present.
“It’s 50 years almost since the dog died, I thought the story was ended but the story lives on,” Hunter said, adding that Tam / Bobby was “intelligent” and “feisty.”
“It was just unbelievable to think that he was a Walt Disney film star,” Hunter reminisced.
Finding Greyfriars Bobby – the movie star!
Earlier today Edinburgh honoured the life of it's second most famous dog as the sky terrier that starred in the 1960s movie about Greyfriars Bobby was commemorated in Edinburgh.
Find out more about the tail 🐶: https://t.co/SXhQwcVUca pic.twitter.com/f7v6wq0b7p— The City of Edinburgh Council (@Edinburgh_CC) June 16, 2023
Now Bobby has “a fitting home for his remains,” and both famous Skye Terriers can rest in peace in Scotland!
Did you ever watch the original 1961 film? Did you know about Greyfriars Bobby already?
