Notable Animals: Bob the Railroad Dog
In early 19th century Australia lived a shaggy dog with golden eyes and a wanderlust heart. His name was Bob the Railroad Dog. Before finding the railroad, he belonged to a person, a manager of the hotel. I imagine he spent his early life at the hotel, tucked behind the reception desk as his person tended to the dealings of the hotel world. Maybe being around all these tourists, these travelers, these curious souls, is what stirred Bob's own interest in travel. While out on the streets of his town, everyone smelled familiar. They smelled like the soil and the air and the water of the town he lived in. But theses strangers streaming in and out of the hotel smelled like something far greater. They smelled like sights never seen, rivers never swam, hills never climbed, people never met. Who wouldn't be curious and desirous for exploration when surrounded by such tempting mystery!
Bob escaped from the not very watchful eye of his person many times when finally, when still under a year old, he escaped for good. His person at home must of been sad. He must of missed his little Bob and his rapscallion ways. He probably dreamed of Bob and wondered if he would ever return. But Bob was too full of independent gumption to be hampered by domestic desires of continuing his dog/human relationship with his so called owner. The stirring TOOT TOOT of the train called to him stronger and louder than anything else ever could. He knew in his strongly beating heart that he was destined for adventure that could only be found through travel.
While living life as a wandering stray though, his life took a dubious turn to servitude when he was scooped up and enlisted to be used as a rabbit exterminator. Bob along with a pack of other dogs were expected to viciously attack rabbits in order to keep the rabbit population down. But Bob again proved he wasn't meant for conformity. He just didn't fit into the pack and was replaced by a more docile rabbit killing dog.
The fates must of stirred in Bob's favor next, because the most perfect of all people decided to adopt the scrappy little fellow. He was adopted by Seth Ferry, the Petersburg Assistant Station Manager! This is when his true destiny as train travelling dog began!
Railway Bob had certain spots on the train that he liked sitting in best. He especially liked to sit in front of the coal space in the locomotive tender. The warm coals sizzling near him probably kept him toasty even as the brisk breeze of passing air rustled his shaggy coat in the most refreshing manner. He loved the sound of the trains whistle, high-pitched and jovial, ringing through the air. Maybe Bob thought that the whistle sounded like an ancient howl of some all-mighty dog. Bob also liked watching the thick smoke rising into the air from the trains smoke stack. He was probably delighted by the ethereal yet solid nature of smoke. Life on the train was full of all sorts of delightful quirks and mysteries. Bob also liked to sit in the railway cabs, but only as long as they were not too crowded. If he could not find a cab to sit in that was empty enough for his liking, he would bark relentlessly until the cab was cleared and Bob could enjoy the peace of solitude while zooming past the sights and scenes.
Railway travel wasn't always safe, even for a scrappy dog like Bob. Bob suffered many injuries but still persevered. He fell of train cars, he hurt himself jumping and once even his beautiful shaggy coat caught fire. Despite the dangers involved with his particular lifestyle, Bob was always ready for the next adventure.
Railroad Bob inspired the imaginations of all that heard of him. People were awed by his free-spirit, his independence and self reliance, his desire to see the world! He was spotted all around Australia and rumored to have been seen in every mainland Australian state. His travels connected the entire country.
Eventually, Bob did retire from his exciting wandering lifestyle and settled down in Adelaide. He spent his days roaming but always got his meal from the butcher. The butcher gave him scraps of meat and afternoon tea which Bob ate with relish. One day, after his meal, Bob was walking down the street when he saw another dog. He gave a happy but mighty bark at the other dog. But then, his merry bark transformed into a mournful howl and he immediately collapsed and died. He was 17 years old. The country mourned his death, but they all also knew that he really did live life to its fullest.
Bob escaped from the not very watchful eye of his person many times when finally, when still under a year old, he escaped for good. His person at home must of been sad. He must of missed his little Bob and his rapscallion ways. He probably dreamed of Bob and wondered if he would ever return. But Bob was too full of independent gumption to be hampered by domestic desires of continuing his dog/human relationship with his so called owner. The stirring TOOT TOOT of the train called to him stronger and louder than anything else ever could. He knew in his strongly beating heart that he was destined for adventure that could only be found through travel.
While living life as a wandering stray though, his life took a dubious turn to servitude when he was scooped up and enlisted to be used as a rabbit exterminator. Bob along with a pack of other dogs were expected to viciously attack rabbits in order to keep the rabbit population down. But Bob again proved he wasn't meant for conformity. He just didn't fit into the pack and was replaced by a more docile rabbit killing dog.
The fates must of stirred in Bob's favor next, because the most perfect of all people decided to adopt the scrappy little fellow. He was adopted by Seth Ferry, the Petersburg Assistant Station Manager! This is when his true destiny as train travelling dog began!
Railway Bob had certain spots on the train that he liked sitting in best. He especially liked to sit in front of the coal space in the locomotive tender. The warm coals sizzling near him probably kept him toasty even as the brisk breeze of passing air rustled his shaggy coat in the most refreshing manner. He loved the sound of the trains whistle, high-pitched and jovial, ringing through the air. Maybe Bob thought that the whistle sounded like an ancient howl of some all-mighty dog. Bob also liked watching the thick smoke rising into the air from the trains smoke stack. He was probably delighted by the ethereal yet solid nature of smoke. Life on the train was full of all sorts of delightful quirks and mysteries. Bob also liked to sit in the railway cabs, but only as long as they were not too crowded. If he could not find a cab to sit in that was empty enough for his liking, he would bark relentlessly until the cab was cleared and Bob could enjoy the peace of solitude while zooming past the sights and scenes.
Railway travel wasn't always safe, even for a scrappy dog like Bob. Bob suffered many injuries but still persevered. He fell of train cars, he hurt himself jumping and once even his beautiful shaggy coat caught fire. Despite the dangers involved with his particular lifestyle, Bob was always ready for the next adventure.
Railroad Bob inspired the imaginations of all that heard of him. People were awed by his free-spirit, his independence and self reliance, his desire to see the world! He was spotted all around Australia and rumored to have been seen in every mainland Australian state. His travels connected the entire country.
Eventually, Bob did retire from his exciting wandering lifestyle and settled down in Adelaide. He spent his days roaming but always got his meal from the butcher. The butcher gave him scraps of meat and afternoon tea which Bob ate with relish. One day, after his meal, Bob was walking down the street when he saw another dog. He gave a happy but mighty bark at the other dog. But then, his merry bark transformed into a mournful howl and he immediately collapsed and died. He was 17 years old. The country mourned his death, but they all also knew that he really did live life to its fullest.