Dog Names Meaning Good Luck

There is probably no other canine in the world who personifies good luck like a small pooch known as Greyfriars Bobby. The small Terrier lived in Edinburgh, Scotland over 160 years ago. Bobby was owned by a much-loved Edinburgh police constable named John Gray. John and tiny Bobby were inseparable. The duo would regularly gallivant around town together.  Unfortunately, John was sick and would eventually die of tuberculosis on February 15th, 1858. When John was laid to rest in the local Greyfriars Cemetery, Bobby was right there beside the casket. Even after John's body was lowered into its final resting place, Bobby remained at the graveside. He appeared lost without his owner. The small dog refused to leave the grave.  Townspeople started to take notice of the scruffy pooch's daily presence at the cemetery.  

Bobby's entire day was not spent at the cemetery.  Just as he had done with his owner during his life, the small dog would arrive at a local pub at one o'clock sharp for a bite to eat. After eating his fill, he would then return to his post beside his owner's grave. Bobby soon became a local celebrity and people would travel to Edinburgh to see him. 

Bobby's schedule never wavered until his death in 1872 at the age of 16. The townspeople buried the small dog in the Greyfriars cemetery. A statue was erected outside the pub where he used to eat lunch every day. Nowadays, visitors regularly rub the bronze statue's nose for good luck. During modern times, the pub owners ask that visitors abstain from rubbing the statue's nose because it has had to be refurbished twice in the past. However, many still sneak a good luck rub in during their visit. 

Many would argue that Bobby's life had not been very lucky because his beloved owner died. However, the small dog was regularly fed and loved by the residents of Edinburgh so even though he never truly got over the death of his owner, his celebrity status made his life easier than that of other pooches who became strays because of an owner's death. 

No one really knows why tourists visiting Edinburgh started to rub Bobby's nose for luck. Some speculate that the practice started when a local student undertook the act the night before an important exam and achieved an A. After bragging about the good luck he attained rubbing the bronze statue's nose, other students also embarked on the act. The good luck superstition had a snowball effect and soon everyone, tourists and locals alike, started rubbing the canine's nose.