Year of the Dog visiting Jim's Dog Museum

Listening to a piece of music titled 'The miraculous Jim dog' performed by the duo Cathy Barton and Dave Para about a dog named Jim, I was truly captivated by its stories. And once again, I packed my backpack and set off to explore Jim.

Year of the Dog visiting Jim's Dog Museum

From the extraordinary tale of Jim...

Jim, born from a purebred hunting dog breed in Louisiana, seemed to have futile training efforts in the hunting field as he stumbled upon his first appearance on the field. Hence, his owner Sam shifted him to another field: retrieving shot down ducks for himself.

And he was right as Jim proved to be an excellent swamp hunting dog with exceptional scenting abilities.

Jim set a record back then with about 5,000 birds brought back to his owner, a number no other dog had reached to the extent that the 'Outdoor Life Magazine' voted Jim as the 'Nation's hunting dog'.

However, Jim was not just a championship bird hunting dog anymore since VanArsdale accidentally discovered while outdoors that this dog could understand what his owner was saying and execute his commands.

It was a hot sunny day, when Mr. VanArsdale said: 'Let's walk over there and take a rest under that oak tree, buddy!'

Despite being in a forest with various types of trees, Jim managed to walk to the oak tree and sit down. Surprised by this, he asked Jim to fetch a walnut, followed by a stick of cheese, and then a lunchbox, all of which Jim performed very quickly and perfectly.

This was the beginning of the miraculous things the dog did upon his owner's command. Later on, when requested, Jim could walk out onto the street and find a car of a certain make, color, state emblem, or license plate.

From a crowd, in his own way, he could select 'the wood seller', the 'patient caregiver', or the 'tourist from Kansas City'.

In 1935, Jim performed at the Kemmerer Hotel in Kemmerer city, Wyoming. Following a successful show, an article was penned in the 'Gazette of Kemmerer' on Friday, August 30, 1935, recounting this performance and referring to Jim as a marvel in life. And thus, the name 'Jim the wonder dog' was born.

Visiting Jim's museum and other places

Situated on the historic N.Lafayette street in Marshall city, Missouri, Jim's dog museum nestles itself and looks quite antiquated as it is a heritage site managed by private individuals, under the contribution of people to the 'Friends of Jim the wonder dog' fund.

But upon entering, visitors still feel like Jim still exists through preserved and exhibited newspapers, through the red dress that the girl still keeps from the previous century left when the owner challenged Jim to find the girl wearing a red dress in the crowd, or through souvenir items with the name and image of him.

I noticed the carefully preserved books about Jim published since the 1935s or the story of Harold Hausam, who volunteered tirelessly to spread Jim's story nationwide.

Opening the side door of the museum, I walked into the memorial garden of Jim the dog built since 1998 at the northwest corner of the city square, which was also the former address of the Ruff hotel, where Jim lived with his owner, who also managed the hotel.

In the heart of the garden stands a bronze statue of Jim, appearing both majestic with his tail held high to the blue sky and solemn with his eyes staring ahead as if to let no bird escape.

This is the spot most photographed by tourists when visiting Marshall City, as per the museum guide. And that certainly leaves me with no doubt.

I drove into Ridge Park Cemetery to find Jim's resting place, but amidst thousands of graves with various sections, that wasn't an easy task.

Until I encountered Mike – a local elder out for a jog, who paused his exercise routine to lead me through the trail to Jim's peaceful resting place.

He emotionally added: “Jim passed away on his birthday, March 18, 1937, in an accident while hunting with his owner at Orzark Lake. He was laid to rest in the city cemetery marked under a tombstone, probably the only animal in a human cemetery.

Many have come to pay their respects, sending wreaths as well as local newspapers or messages from cities like Kansas, St. Louis in the state to Ontario, Canada. Over 500 calls, letters, and condolences were sent to the owner.

This is perhaps the most visited grave here, seldom without flowers and coins placed on it to remember Jim.

As I heard the story, I took a coin from my pocket and placed it on Jim's grave, hoping that even though Jim is in the afterlife, he would recognize that he has another friend visiting from halfway around the globe...

Additional Information

- For more details, contact: Larry W. Arriwood - President of the “Friends of Jim the wonder dog” foundation - PO Box 101 - Marshall City (Missouri). Phone: (660) 815-7391. Email: [email protected].

- Contact the Marshall Welcome Center inside the museum if you wish to contribute $100 or more to the preservation fund and receive a personalized brick with the contributor's name or their pet's name along with a commemorative photo. The bricks will be placed in the garden or on the monument wall for eternal preservation.

- The museum's opening hours depend on the season. Closed on Sundays. Jim's memorial garden will be closed for visitation after sunset.

There are plenty of fast food outlets right in the city. Visitors can stop by China Inn and Restaurant - 16 E. Arrow Street with prices ranging from $4 to $9 per dish.

According to Quoc Vinh/Tuoi tre

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour