Silverton, Oregon - Statue and Mural of Bobbie the Wonder Dog

I just visited the home of Bobbie the Wonder Dog and he seems to have gotten a new guest house and a park bench so you can sit and enjoy his little corner of the world. There is a really nice community park just behind Bobbie's house with a walking covered bridge.

The mural with information and articles about Bobbie is still there and seems to be well maintained. The city of Silverton seems to have gone mural-crazy, with one on almost every block -- some blocks more than one -- in the downtown area. They aren't all about Bobbie, or any other wonder-mutts, but about the history of the town, and some neat landscape views. [Jody Day, 07/13/2008]

Here is a photo of the already mentioned dog house dedicated to Bobbie the Wonder Dog. [Joe Boulter, 04/08/2007]

In addition to the Annual Bobbie Day, February 15, which celebrates the return of Bobbie the Wonder Dog to his home town from Indiana, Silverton sponsors an annual Pet Parade in May of every year. On the same day of the parade, the Silverton Historical Museum sponsors a "Bobbie look-alike contest" and all dogs are invited to enter. All entrants have a place of honor in the parade.

Silverton's Pet Parade is the oldest tradition of its kind on the west coast. [Susan Stelljes, 02/10/2005]

Mural and dog house related to Bobbie the Wonder Dog. In 1923, Bobbie was separated from his family in Indiana and lost. Six months later he returned to his family home in Silverton Oregon, showing signs that he walked all the way back alone.

The mural on Water Street dedicated to Bobbie, the Wonder Dog is by mural artist Lori Webb. The town has an annual Pet Parade in May honoring children and their pets and in memory of Bobbie. There is also an annual Bobbie Day, February 15 which commemorates the day Bobbie returned to Silverton.

A new book due for release in February 2005 entitled Wonder Dog includes illustrations by Lori Webb and is written by Susan Stelljes. [Susan Stelljes, 09/04/2004]

The town recently installed a replica of the dog house given the Bobbie the Wonder Dog in 1924. They also have a mural and a statue dedicated this dog who found his way home across 7 states in 1923-1924. [Susan Stelljes, 03/28/2004]