Greyfriars Bobby © Tony Austin
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It turns out the tale of the “most faithful dog in the world” is one of greed, deception, and disguise.
The Guardian reports that the legend of Greyfriars Bobby, the little terrier who kept a 14-year vigil at his master’s grave in Edinburgh, was a Victorian scam. A local restaurant owner and the cemetery curator baited the pup with scraps of food to keep him in the cemetery and later replaced him with a prettier thoroughbred pooch.
Watch out, Nessie. The Scottish legend debunkers are coming for you next!