The Dog Who Slept on His Owner's Grave for 14 Years

In 1858 a man named John Gray was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. His dog Bobby refused to leave. For fourteen years Bobby slept on the grave every single night regardless of weather. The people of Edinburgh fed him and looked after him. When the law said stray dogs had to be put down the Lord Provost of Edinburgh personally gave Bobby a collar and declared him a Freeman of the city so he couldn’t be touched. Bobby died in 1872. He was buried just inside the kirkyard gate. A few feet from his owner. He had never spent a night away from that grave in fourteen years. A statue of him stands outside the kirkyard today. His collar and bowl are in the Museum of Edinburgh. You can visit both today.

Interesting Fact Bobby’s grave is one of the most visited in Edinburgh. Visitors leave sticks on it — a tradition nobody started and nobody officially continues. It just happens. Every day. Someone leaves a stick.

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