ACROSS from the gateway of the old Greyfriars’ Cemetery, Edinburgh, there stands a monument in memory of a little Skye terrier.
Many stories have been told illustrating the fidelity of dogs to their masters, but few have been charged with such pathos as the story of Greyfriars’ Bobby.
His master, a Midlothian farmer named Gray, was in the habit of attending the market in the city every Wednesday, and as regularly as the gun boomed one o’clock from the castle, Mr. Gray entered a restaurant for his midday meal. On these occasions, he was always accompanied by his constant companion, Bobby, who never failed to get a bun or two for dinner. Thus the dog was as well-known in the dining rooms as was Mr. Gray himself.
The waiters were greatly surprised one day when Bobby entered the restaurant at one o’clock looking woebegone in the extreme. They knew that his master had died and had been buried three days previously, and greatly touched by the pathetic appearance of the dog, they gave him one of his favorite buns. Bobby looked as if he had been starving, but instead of eating the bun, he snatched it up and ran out of the restaurant. This was repeated on the following two or three days, until at length Mr. Traill, the proprietor, made up his mind to go after Bobby and find out where he went. His feelings may be imagined as he hurried along closely behind the small dog to Greyfriars’ Churchyard. Without hesitation, Bobby ran across to his master’s grave, and there lay down and ate up his bun.
Then began a vigil which the faithful little terrier was to keep up night and day for the next fourteen years.
The only luxury which Bobby allowed himself was his daily run to the restaurant for his food at one o’clock. Many attempts were made to wean him away from this spot—to him so sacred —but all were unavailing. Some thoughtful person erected a rough little shelter against the side of a tombstone where Bobby could go in stormy weather.
“Faithful unto death!” Such was Greyfriars’ Bobby. Laden with years, and love for his master’s memory his one bright thing in life, Bobby lingered on until 1872, when his disconsolate spark of vitality flickered out.
Respected in life, Bobby was honored in death, and was buried in Greyfriars’ Churchyard, where his grave may still be seen.
On the memorial fountain which was erected near the place of his inconsolable vigil, these words were inscribed:
Greyfriars’ Bobby
From the life, just before his death.
In 1858 this faithful dog followed the remains of his master to Greyfriars’ Churchyard, and lingered near the spot until his death in 1872.
A Tribute
To the Affectionate Fidelity of
Greyfriars’ Bobby.
1872
Perhaps it would be well to remark here that animals do not possess an immortal soul like human beings. When they die, that is the end of them. Their bodies return to dust. But it is not so with you and me. We have souls that will live forever—as long as God lives—either in heaven or in hell. God sent His beloved Son into this world to die for sinners that we might be saved and not come into judgment.
The body of Bobby’s master still rests in the churchyard, but it is not so with our blessed Lord Jesus. The angels could say to those who came to the tomb on that resurrection morning, “He is not here, but is risen,” Luke 24:22And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. (Luke 24:2), and shortly after He ascended to heaven where He now sits on the right hand of the Father. Soon He is coming and will utter the assembling shout that will call all His redeemed, both dead and living, to meet Him in the clouds, and they will be forever with Him in the Father’s house.
O that you, dear reader, old or young, might be found among the redeemed company who, pardoned, saved and happy, await His return, for “unto them that look for Him shall He appear without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28).
May we who love His name, take the example of little Bobby, and seek grace to be faithful to the memory of our blessed Lord and Master.
ML-01/24/1960