A strange encounter of the kilting kind

**beloitpiper** · 2nd December 06, 10:44 AM

I'm an American. Can you explain what "Grey Friar’s Bobby" is and why a Scotsman would know the real thing from a phoney?

**haukehaien** · 2nd December 06, 11:09 AM

A small, semi-famous dog. I'd never seen the actual story, just references to it.

**Frank** · 2nd December 06, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

I'm an American. Can you explain what "Grey Friar’s Bobby" is and why a Scotsman would know the real thing from a phoney?

A reference to the oft told story of a dog who famously mourned his beloved master for many years after his death.

More at http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK...yfriarsBob.htm

regards

Frank

**McClef** · 2nd December 06, 11:12 AM

Greyfriars Bobby was the highland terrier who spent years sleeping on the grave of his Master, John Gray (Auld Jock the Shepherd), in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.

He became a local legend and became even more famous after the case over lack of a dog licence and being given the Freedom of the City by the Lord Provost. That led to him being visited by the great and the good including Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts who paid for the fountain statue which is probably better known than the portrait that was painted of him in life and looks somewhat different to it.

He is considered to be an example of devotion and loyalty.

I have the portrait on a fridge magnet, google failed to produce a picture of it alas.

Walt Disney made a film about him and there is an excellent book by Eleanor Atkinson also.

**Riverkilt** · 2nd December 06, 11:24 AM

Another cute WalMart story.

Back on the Marine Corps birthday I was in WalMart 9kilted of course) and ran into a coworker and his family. He's a former Marine Sergeant who served in combat in Panama and is now the head of the local Veteran's of Foreign Wars unit.

We were talking Marine birthday talk and an AA friend came over with birthday wishes, this man is a Navajo with heavy Viet Nam combat experience.

Then my coworker says, "Come on guys." He led us to the old guy greeter at the main enterance who was also a former Marine. We all had a good chat and parted.

But now, EVERY time I enter the local Wal Mart the greeter guy greets me with, "Semper Fi."

Ron

**auld argonian** · 2nd December 06, 03:10 PM

And Greyfriar's Bobby got turned into a Disney movie, if I remember correctly...

http://www.amazon.com/Greyfriars-Bob...?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

...and you know how loveable Disney can make things.

Best

AA

**McClef** · 2nd December 06, 04:52 PM

Greyfriars Bobby is surprisingly emotionally powerful - tears came to my eyes when I visited his grave last month.

I guess any dog lover can understand that.

**Hamish** · 2nd December 06, 05:49 PM

Sorry Guys, I suppose I should not have asked about Wal-Mart ....... didn't realise it was such a sensistive subject.

**Andrew Green** · 4th December 06, 07:33 PM

"I have my own personal opinon of Wal-Mart, but it is not appropriate for a kilt forum."

To run the risk of getting razzed for going off topic:
I agree with the above quote, but wish to relate my experience for hte sake of insight. I worked for that company for damn near two years...unloading, the hardest non-management job in the store...and consistently to boot. I put in over time, only to get it cut from my check (yeah, illegal), work long hours when the rest of the crew had long gone home, injure my back, put up with management trying to hardball me, made an L&I claim, only to get fired on the premise of "Inable to Perfrom Job."

I am not the only person they've done this too...this is why so many people (and a lot of ex-employees) hate Wal-Mart. Good on anywhere that can keep them out!