Bobbie the Wonder Dog: A True Story

Product Information

The fires and tumults of mortal life may threaten and frighten, but those who incline their hearts to God will be encircled by His peace. Their joy will not be diminished. They will not be abandoned or forgotten. With their exceptional sense of smell, dogs can distinguish between a vast number of scents, even in complex environments like dense forests. You cannot just float in the waters of life and trust that the current will take you wherever you hope to be one day. Discipleship requires our willingness to swim upstream when needed. Coyotes and bobcats roamed the Great Plains, meaning Bobbie had to stay vigilant and defend himself at every turn. But wait, there’s more! So, what’s left for our intrepid dog? Following his family’s scent, Bobbie likely found a bridge, ferry, or shallow crossing point.These options were not only more accessible but also safer for both Bobbie and his family, no matter the weather conditions.

Those who heed the inner call and seek God, those who pray, believe, and walk the path the Savior has prepared—even if they stumble along the path at times—receive the consoling assurance that “all things shall work together for [their] good.” 7There were few rivers, streams, or ponds to quench Bobbie’s thirst, but they were few and far between. Prey might not have been abundant, forcing our canine adventurer to scavenge human food sources or hunt less familiar prey.

The Braziers widened their search. They scoured the town by car and foot. Flyers were posted around town, and ads were placed in the local newspaper. Calls were made to nearby businesses asking if anyone had spotted Bobbie. Bobbie the Wonder Dog perches on the trunk of the Braziers' touring car in Silverton. Photo: Offbeat Oregon His memory is still celebrated in his hometown of Silverton, Oregon. An annual pet parade is held in his honor, the first of which was led by Bobbie’s own son, Pal. A 70-foot-long mural illustrating his life was painted along the busiest street in town. At one end of it sits a life-size statue of Bobbie along with a replica of his famous dog house, a frequent tourist destination. Sources Bobbie the Wonder Dog in The Call of the West". The Register-Guard. July 11, 1924 . Retrieved March 26, 2012.The history of God’s work is filled with people who considered themselves inadequate. But they humbly served, relying on the grace of God and His promise: “Their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield … , and they shall fight manfully for me; and … I [will] preserve them.” 13 His work has always advanced on this important principle: “Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” 11 Fierce winds plagued the region, whipping up sudden and unpredictable dust storms that made Bobbie’s navigation and resting time extremely difficult.Food and water were scarce, as with all desert regions.

Meanwhile, Frank, Elizabeth, Leona, and Nova spent hours searching for Bobbie, too, frantically calling him over and over, walking the streets, and asking if anyone had seen a stray collie. Unfortunately, they had miles yet to travel before reaching their relative’s house and they couldn’t stand by their car all night hoping Bobbie would return. They got into their car and drove away in tears. But that’s not all! The olfactory bulb in a dog’s brain can be up to 40 times larger than ours, making them incredibly efficient at processing odors. This requires effort. You cannot get there without striving to learn of Him, understanding His instructions, earnestly applying them, and putting one foot in front of the other.

The moment of Bobbie’s return home felt like a scene straight out of a movie. On a February day in 1924, just 6 months after Bobbie went missing, one of the Brazier daughters stepped out of their family cafe in Silverton, Oregon. Finally, in February 1924, thin, exhausted, and dirty, Bobbie reached Silverton, Oregon, and HOME! He had traveled for six months over 2,500 miles, covering approximately 14 miles a day! Frank, Elizabeth, Leona, and Nova were overjoyed, hugging and kissing Bobbie over and over. They fed him mounds of food and soaked him in warm baths, then covered him in warm blankets. Bobbie’s heart almost burst out of his chest in happiness! He had found his forever family and he was HOME! He slathered them with wet kisses, jumped on their laps, and raced around in happy circles. This was the best feeling in the world! Bobbie knew it then: there’s no place like home and he had found his!

When writing to the Saints in Corinth, the Apostle Paul observed that not many of them would be considered wise by worldly standards. But that didn’t matter, because “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 12 Though weak and tired, Bobbie went berserk with joy when he was reunited with his family, and from that day, all of their lives changed. In the weeks and months that followed, his story tore across the country in newspapers and even in a hardcover collection of pet stories. He was the main attraction at an Oregon home-builders convention in Portland, where thousands lined up to pet him, and he starred in a short feature film. Also, the Braziers eventually heard from people along Bobbie's homeward-bound route, places where he'd stopped long enough to recoup, and then he was gone again. These stories verified their thinking. Bobbie had done the impossible. The grave is behind the Oregon Humane Society building, and can only be reached by walking through the building during business hours. Estimates of the total distance Bobbie traveled vary significantly. The Sunday Oregonian listed a sum of 2,364 miles, the total initially produced by the Oregonian Humane Society. However, other sources assert that Bobbie’s actual course was not a straightforward one.What she saw on the street was nothing short of a miracle. It was Bobbie, exhausted, hungry, with matted fur, full of debris, and roughed up paws. The gospel is a transcendent message of hope, happiness, and joy. It is the pathway that leads us home.