In Russia, the St. Bernards affectionately call the "little senechka." And the homeland of these giants is the Great Pass of St. Bernard, which is located in the Alps. Many people prefer this breed of large dogs, which are the best rescuers, as they can overcome very inaccessible places. And they are considered great friends of a person, as they are always ready to come to his aid.
St. Bernard Pass
A narrow stony path was beaten through the pass of St. Bernard. She connected Italy with Western Europe.
In bad weather, when snowstorms and drifts raged, such a road became especially dangerous. In this place there was a monastery, which became a mountain shelter for travelers. It was founded by Bishop Bernard of Menton. It happened back in 1049. Then the pass and the monastery were named in honor of the Bishop of Saint Bernard - Saint Bernard.
Dogs at the monastery
In severe weather conditions, many people died, failing to reach the monastery. Then the monks brought in four-legged helpers — the St. Bernards. These dogs were used to search and rescue stray travelers. Animals were strong and hardy. They were distinguished by a great love for people. They felt a man in a snowdrift at a depth of six meters.
Dogs could orientate themselves in the mountains and quickly find their way home. Anticipating the imminent change in the weather, they began to fuss, get nervous and hurry to leave for the mountains on their own in order to come to the rescue of the person in time.
About three or four dogs took part in the search for people in distress. When the dogs found the victim, two of them lay down nearby, warming the person, licked his face and slowed down as they could. And the rest ran for help to people.
Dog admirers consider the pass to be the birthplace of the St. Bernards. And here, in the current monastery, there is a famous nursery for breeding this breed.
And in a local hotel you can see a picture of a dog very similar to St. Bernard.
What did the dog look like
In those days, the described dogs externally differed significantly from modern St. Bernards. They were more mobile and less massive.
The advantages of this dog is a thick skin. It perfectly protects from cold and snow. Very thick, this short coat did not get wet, was not covered with icicles and perfectly saved from hypothermia.
The resistance of the dog to the weather is actually unlimited - it can stay in deep snow for a day even in the most severe storm without the slightest harm to health.
The animal has a very high reaction rate and extremely sharp scent. This is what allows her to quickly find people under the snow.
Monument to St. Bernard Barry in Paris
It was installed about 180 years ago in a Paris cemetery. A bronze statue of a huge dog and a child snuggling up to it. On the pedestal is the inscription: "Barry, who saved forty people and killed forty-first." This is a monument to all St. Bernards rescuing people.
Among the dogs of this breed were their champions. One of the famous rescuers was a St. Bernard named Leo. On his account 35 saved souls. But St. Bernard Barry became more famous. It was he who saved forty people, and he died at the hands of the forty-first. There is a legend about how this all happened.
How did Barry die
One day there was a strong snowstorm. Dogs, as usual, went in search of injured people. Gradually they returned to the monastery. They were all very tired and exhausted. Only St. Bernard Barry continued to search for those in trouble. He wandered and wandered among the mountains. Obviously, the dog felt that somewhere under the snow a man remained lying.
The flair did not let the dog down. He found a traveler covered in snow. The dog began to free him from captivity. He braked and licked the poor man's face. But the man, waking up, opened his eyes and saw a large dog face. Frightened, he decided that he was facing a wolf. The man killed St. Bernard Barry with a pistol.
According to another legend, a dog was stabbed to death. This was done by the forty-first man he saved.
Since then, a dog named Barry has always lived in the kennel of the monastery. She is called in his honor.
The legend of saving a child
Another legend says that Saint Bernard Barry is a dog-hero. According to her, the dog actually saved forty-one people. Forty-first saved was a child. How he got to the pass and found himself completely alone in a dangerous situation, no one knew.
When St. Bernard Barry felt it, the child was alive, but was unconscious. The dog provided help in time: for a long time lay near the boy, warming him with his body, and licked his face. When the child woke up, he had no strength at all. All he could do was wrap his little arms around the dog’s neck.
Barry tried very carefully to carry the child. The dog was old, and he had a very hard time. The kid saw this and tried to ride a dog. So they came to people.
Barry lived his life in the city and died his own death, having served people for about twelve years.
The story of St. Bernard Barry is true, and there is much evidence for this. A stuffed dog is still standing in the Museum of Natural History in the Swiss city of Bern.
Conclusion
The writer Sheitlin stated: “Barry is the best of all dogs and animals. Whoever now sees your stuffed animal in the museum should take off his hat, buy a portrait and hang it on the wall under glass. Each person must show his children and students the picture where Barry, with a baby on his back, is standing at the gates of the monastery. Let everyone say - do what you did this dog. ”
The St. Bernard Barry Monument is a symbol of the dog’s enormous love for man. And St. Bernard himself is considered not only the best watchdog, but also the most excellent friend of children.