Carer reveals tale of real life Greyfriars Bobby from 1961 Disney classic

Disney's classic retelling of Greyfriars Bobby made the beloved dog’s tale famous far beyond Edinburgh's borders, but little was known about the eventual fate of the movie's biggest (and smallest) star - until now.
The real life Bobby, star of the 1961 Disney classic, went to live with the Pringle family in East Lothian.The real life Bobby, star of the 1961 Disney classic, went to live with the Pringle family in East Lothian.
The real life Bobby, star of the 1961 Disney classic, went to live with the Pringle family in East Lothian.

The feature-length adaptation of Eleanor Atkinson's novel, which in turn was based on the real-life story of "Auld Jock's" eternally faithful Skye Terrier in 19th Century Edinburgh, was released to international acclaim in 1961.

But, while the movie starred the likes of Academy Award-winner Donald Crisp in one of the lead human roles, the producers omitted one prominent "actor" from the end credits: Bobby himself.

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Also called Bobby, the dog that starred in the movie was a Skye Terrier from Stornoway, and, when filming came to an end, Disney gifted the four-legged cast member to Edinburgh Chief Constable William Merrilees.

Disney retold the story of Greyfriars Bobby in 1961.Disney retold the story of Greyfriars Bobby in 1961.
Disney retold the story of Greyfriars Bobby in 1961.

A legend in his own right, Merrilees, of the then Lothian & Peebles Constabulary, had been invaluable during pre-production in scouting for locations for the 1961 film.

Merrilees and Bobby later appeared together at numerous film premieres, charity functions and other big events and the dog was even joint best man at Merrilees' wedding in 1968.

But the police chief didn't keep hold of Bobby forever. Merrilees had originally intended for Bobby to live at Dunforth children’s hospital, but all did not go according to plan.

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Carer Joyce Cockburn reveals Bobby was eventually taken in by another police officer, Mr William Pringle and his wife, Rita, spending the rest of his life at their family home along with their five children in Carberry, East Lothian.

Mrs Pringle, who sadly passed away last month, with Mr Pringle and their dog Buddy.Mrs Pringle, who sadly passed away last month, with Mr Pringle and their dog Buddy.
Mrs Pringle, who sadly passed away last month, with Mr Pringle and their dog Buddy.

Joyce, a health care assistant at Call-In Homecare, said: "Bobby was given to the children's hospital, but the children were forever pulling at the dog and I think staff were scared he was going to bite eventually.

"PC Pringle was the first dog handler in East Lothian, and first port of call for the Chief Constable to take Bobby.

"Bobby stayed in the house and was one of the family, but he had quite a bad habit of digging the grounds and escaped on several occasions only to be returned by neighbours.

"He lived with them until his death at age twelve."

Joyce Cockburn has looked after the Pringles over the past year and fell in love with their story about Bobby.Joyce Cockburn has looked after the Pringles over the past year and fell in love with their story about Bobby.
Joyce Cockburn has looked after the Pringles over the past year and fell in love with their story about Bobby.
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Mrs Pringle, who sadly passed away aged 82 last month, kept notes of their time with Bobby, recording how the pooch would regularly be whisked away to star-studded events in a chauffeured car.

Joyce said: "This really made me laugh, the dog being chauffeur-driven and taken through to Glasgow or wherever."

Prestonpans resident Joyce, 42, who has been looking after Mr and Mrs Pringle for the past year, says she feels fortunate to have met the couple and hear their stories first hand.

She says Mr Pringle, 86, who, coincidentally, was formerly a shepherd akin to Greyfriars Bobby's master Jock Gray, is managing to keep positive following the very recent loss of his wife of 61 years - partly thanks to the presence of another diminutive dog - Buddy.

She said: "The fact that I was taking care of someone who was put in charge of such an iconic wee dog. It's lovely.

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"As can be expected, after being with someone for so long, it's a new life for Mr Pringle, but he's a positive man and a very fit man as well.

"He enjoys their wee dog, Buddy, who's thankfully still here to keep him company."

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