Jim the Wonder Dog

Jim the Wonder Dog (1925–1937) was a Llewellin Setter[note 1][1] alleged to have a variety of remarkable abilities. He originally came from Louisiana and reportedly could predict the sex of unborn babies as well as the winner of the Kentucky Derby.[2] More skeptical individuals state that his owner, Sam Van Arsdale, gave the dog multiple choice questions and pleaded for the right answer.[3]

Jim the Wonder Dog
ArtistAndy Davis
Year1999
TypeBronze
LocationMarshall, Missouri

Life

Jim earned his reputation as a 'wonder dog' during the 1930s, puzzling psychologists from both Washington University, St. Louis and University of Missouri in Columbia. Dr. A. J. Durant, director of the School of Veterinary Medicine, tested Jim's abilities in a public demonstration. He concluded that Jim "possessed an occult power that might never come again to a dog in many generations."[4] Jim seemed to have the ability to guess the sex of an unborn baby and answer to orders in many different languages even though his owner, Sam Van Arsdale, only spoke English. Jim the Wonder Dog picked the winner of the Kentucky Derby seven years in a row. He also predicted the Yankee victory in the 1936 World Series. A joint session of the Missouri Legislature was called in order to witness the talents of Jim. He died March 18, 1937.[4]

Memorial Park

In 1999 a park in Marshall, Missouri, where he died, was built in his honor.[5] The park was opened May 1, 1999, where a statue of Jim was unveiled. Andy Davis, a Columbia sculptor, was commissioned to create the likeness of Jim out of bronze. The park is located on the former location of Sam Van Arsdale's hotel. The Saline County Water Garden Club designed and constructed the water feature within the park.[6]

Jim the Wonder Dog Memorial Garden on the square in Marshall
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See also

Notes
  1. 'Llewellin Setter' is a name sometimes used to describe a specific strain of working English Setter.

References
  1. "Jim, Wonder Dog - Marshall, Missouri". Visitmarshallmo.com. Archived from the original on 2010-05-29. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  2. Graham, Sarah (2010-07-09). "Paul the psychic octopus and friends". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  3. Canon, Scott (1999-05-10). "Pooch keeps pride alive in Missouri". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  4. Ferguson, Henry. "Jim the Wonder Dog". Rural Missouri. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  5. "STLtoday - St. Louis Post-Dispatch Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. 1999-03-15. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  6. "Jim the Wonder Dog - History". jimthewonderdog.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
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