A metal die-cut keyring of the statue of the famous Greyfriars Bobby

In 1850, John Gray came to Edinburgh to work as a night watchman for the police. A familiar sight throughout Edinburgh, he was never to be seen without his faithful Skye terrier, Bobby. When John died of tuberculosis in 1858 he was buried in Greyfriars churchyard. Bobby, refusing to desert his late master began to visit the graveyard every night, even in the worst weather conditions. Despite the fact that dogs were not allowed in the churchyard, Booby's persistence paid off. The local residents built him a shelter near the graveside and he was allowed to stay. The Lord Provost even paid for his dog licence and bought him an engraved collar with its own silver name tag. Bobby's fame became such that people would come to the Kirk just to see the famous terrier who remained loyal to his master. For fourteen years, until his own death in 1872, he was very well cared for by the people of Edinburgh and in 1873 a memorial was set up opposite the graveyard that can still be seen today.