Imagine the Swiss Alps in the 1800’s with towering peaks and perilous passes where danger lurked. In this breathtaking yet treacherous landscape, a huge, hairy dog emerged as a symbol of hope. He was a hero who etched his legacy into the very fabric of these magnificent mountains. His name was Barry Menschenretter (German for people saver) and he is the foundation of the St. Bernard breed.
Barry Began A Noble Tradition
Barry had a spirit as indomitable as the mountains themselves. He was no ordinary dog. Initially a farm dog, he became a mountain rescue dog. Barry seemed to be equipped with an especially powerful sense of smell and an uncanny ability to maneuver through the rugged terrain. Many times, he forged into the snow-covered wilderness, ready to save lives.
Barry’s Heroic Acts
Barry faced head-on such trials as blizzards that would send shivers down anyone’s spine and avalanches that could bury a village. He was unwavering in his determination and his ability to locate stranded travelers was nothing short of miraculous. When he reached a near frozen traveler, Barry’s warm presence provided solace amidst the biting cold. His presence often made the difference between life and death.
Honoring His Legacy
Barry lived from 1800-1814 and was credited with saving more than 40 lives. There was a rumor that he died during an attempted rescue but that is not true. He retired to Bern, Switzerland and when he died, his body was released into the care of the Natural History Museum of Bern. His body was preserved by taxidermy.
Thankfully, his memory didn’t fade. Even today, people from across the world still pay their respects. His story became a beacon of inspiration and an embodiment of courage.
In addition to that legacy,Barry himself was the beginning of what is today a well established breed. As we reflect on Barry’s incredible journey, we’re reminded that heroes can emerge from the unlikeliest of places, even amidst the formidable Swiss Alps.
His story is a timeless reminder that the connection between humans and their faithful dogs knows no boundaries and that in the harshest of terrains, hope can be found in the presence of a devoted St. Bernard.
How Barry Still Has An Effect On People Today
As a young child, I saw a movie and later read a book about Barry, the heroic St. Bernard. Like many little girls, I fell in love with the breed. We had many breeds of dogs as I grew up but none of them were a St Bernard. The first time that I saw one up close and personal was early in my college years.
My future husband’s good friend owned a massive St. Bernard and he walked him across campus frequently. When he realized how much I loved his dog, he promised to give our first born child a St. Bernard on their third birthday.
Sadly, he died an untimely death at a very young age. However, we honored his memory by giving our daughter a St. Bernard, He was a massive dog with a gorgeous, long, mahogany and white coat and the typical black mask. His head was so large that he had to eat out of a large turkey baking pan.
We lived in a very rural area at the time and there was little crime. However, someone did steal our 2 man sailing craft, our daughter’s tire swing and her St. Bernard. We comforted ourselves that the dog would be well cared for because they also stole his food pan.
Our St. Bernard Story Continues
A few years later, after our daughter had a younger brother tagging along with her, we were blessed with another St. Bernard. Santa Claus left a tiny, smooth coated female puppy and we were all in love. Her mother had developed mastitis so she needed to be hand fed to survive. I don’t think she ever realized that she was not human.
Oh, the stories I could (and may someday I will) tell about her. Officially registered as Healy’s Diamond Lil, we lovingly called her “Sassy” and it fit her perfectly. She ended up being the foundation of the few litters we bred over the years. She is the puppy sitting between our daughter and son on the top of our HappyMutt Facebook page.
Her lovely daughter, Forrest Retreat’s Sugar Baby, aka “Missy” to her friends. You can see her at the top of the Excellent Dogs Club page on Facebook. This photo was taken the day she won her AKC Championship.
Thanks to https://www.excellentdogsclub.com
You can find the current AKC breed standards for the St. Bernard here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/st-bernard/
Featured Photo By Unknown author – from dewp ( http://www.roggenhof-bernhardiner.de/alte_Zeiten/alte_zeiten.html ), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1487720