Bob was an average-looking collie puppy in every way, except for his bobbed tail . . . and maybe that’s why the Brazier family named him Bob, or Bobbie. But he was average in no other way. In 1923, Bobbie joined Frank and Elizabeth Brazier for a cross-country drive from Silverton, Oregon, to Indiana, Frank’s home state, where they planned to visit family. During a stop in Indiana, Bobbie was chased off by loose dogs, and after a week of searching and placing newspaper ads, the broken-hearted Braziers had to give up and start the drive home. Six months to the day after he was lost in Indiana, a very thin Bobbie was spotted on a Silverton sidewalk, his coat matted, his paws raw from wear. Unbelievable as it seemed, the three-year-old dog had WALKED almost 2,800 miles to get back home. Though weak and tired, Bobbie went berserk with joy when he was reunited with his family, and from that day, all of their lives changed. In the weeks and months that followed, his story tore across the country in newspapers and even in a hardcover collection of pet stories. He was the main attraction at an Oregon home-builders convention in Portland, where thousands lined up to pet him, and he starred in a short feature film. Also, the Braziers eventually heard from people along Bobbie's homeward-bound route, places where he’d stopped long enough to recoup, and then he was gone again. These stories verified their thinking. Bobbie had done the impossible. When Bobbie died, he was buried in Portland, Oregon, by the Oregon Humane Society. Rin Tin-Tin was there to lay a wreath at his funeral, which was officiated by the mayor of Portland. This incredible story is all true, and the origins of Lassie Come Home are said to be traced to the story of Bob of Silverton, also known as Bobbie, the Wonder Dog, a Scotch collie mix.

Based on the true story of a family dog lost in Indiana who six months later appears mangy and scrawny on the family's doorstep in Silverton, Oregon.

Heartwarming true stories of lost dogs finding the way back home, relying entirely on amazing canine intelligence and instincts Four-Legged Miracles is a collection of wondrous lost-and-found canine sagas—actual Lassie, Come Home tales—that highlight dogs' remarkable abilities to return home despite almost unbelievable odds. Brad and Sherry Steiger have collected dramatic, carefully documented true-life anecdotes that showcase canines' amazing intelligence, courage, and sometimes seemingly supernatural powers. Often, there are no sensible explanations for how the dogs overcome obstacles like natural disasters and fierce wilderness areas, predators, grievous injuries, and more to find their human families. These fascinating reunion stories include: --Mason, the white terrier who crawled home on two broken legs to what remained of his family's tornado-ravaged house --Buca, who sat on a hill over Utah's Rte. I-15 for two months waiting for the car he knew would bring him home --Eddie, the beagle, who walked 450 miles over four months to reunite with disabled four-year-old Jimmy, inspiring the boy to work harder on his own recovery. Four-Legged Miracles will tug on readers' heartstrings, but it will also discuss common reasons dogs disappear, how to get a missing dog back faster, the dog-human bond, and the science behind some of the amazing journeys these dogs endure. Chock-full of happy endings, Four-Legged Miracles lends insight into dogs' hearts and minds, and is a treat for any animal lover.

What's the connection between Ken Kesey and Nancy's Yogurt? How about the difference between a hoedad and a webfoot? What became of the Pixie Kitchen and the vanished Lambert Gardens? The Oregon Companion is an A–Z handbook of over 1000 people, places, and things. From Abernethy and beaver money to houseboats, railroads, and the Zigzag River, an intrepid public historian separates fact from fiction — with his sense of humor intact. Entries include towns and cities, counties, rivers, lakes, and mountains; people who have left a mark on Oregon; industries, products, crops, and natural resources. Includes more than 160 historical black and white photos. This entertaining and delightfully meticulous compendium is an essential reference for anyone curious about Oregon.

The Romance of the Collie: True Tales of an Amazing Breed is an in-depth look into the true personality of the collie. Inside these covers, one will read about famous collies, such as Lassie, the most famous canine in the world, and Reveille, the mascot of Texas A&M. There are stories about collie heroes, the history of collies in military service, collie collectibles, and Albert Payson Terhune's famous Sunnybank collies. One will also meet Bobbie and Shep, two collies whose love for their masters showed the world what the heart of a collie is all about.

Incorporated in 1854, Silverton sits at the eastern edge of the Willamette Valley and gives way to the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It was built along Silver Creek, a location used for countless years by native people. As the town grew, it became a shipping center for the timber and agricultural industries of the area. During the early part of the 20th century, Silverton's mills helped supply the nation with lumber. Like many small towns, Silverton has changed with the times, but it has retained its small-town feel as a vibrant community with a diverse population. The community has nurtured many talents over the years, including political cartoonist Homer Davenport and astronaut Donald Pettit.