Little Yellow Dog adopts Lewis and Clark theme
Posted: Wednesday, December 03, 2003
A Newfoundland pup named Seaman will be auctioned to benefit the Ancient and Effervescent Order of Yellow Dogs. The public can meet the dog at an event Saturday at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
The mere mention of his name links this year's Little Yellow Dog to a giant slice of American history that stretches all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Yes, it's Seaman, named in honor of Capt. Meriwether Lewis' gentle giant of a Newfoundland dog, one of the earliest members of the military expedition that transformed the United States.
Amid the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, Seaman is poised to stir interest in the historic exploration and raise funds for Mr. Goodfellow, the Sioux City Journal charity that gives Christmas toys and candy to hundreds of underprivileged children each year.
Seaman will be claimed by the highest bidder at the annual Little Yellow Dog Auction sponsored by the Ancient and Effervescent Order of Yellow Dogs at noon Dec. 13 in the Terra Center atrium. Don Stone will be master of ceremonies, assisted by Dave Nixon Sr. Bruce Brock and Pat Robeson will be auctioneers.
Before the auction, however, outgoing, affable Seaman will meet visitors from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Discovery Gallery at the Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center on Larsen Park Road. Both the auction and the "Meet Seaman the Little Yellow Dog" events are free and open to the public.
Children, 10 and younger, who draw or paint a picture for Seaman may be photographed with the Newfoundland puppy by Sioux City photographer George Lindblade. Children must present their pictures to interpretive center staff and be accompanied by an adult to qualify for a free photo.
Seaman the Little Yellow Dog comes from Sunni Side Breeders of Little Rock, Iowa. He was purchased by the Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center which donated him for the Little Yellow Dog Auction. The puppy can expect to grow to about 28 inches tall and weigh up to about 150 pounds. His famous Corps of Discovery predecessor was purchased in Pittsburgh in 1803 for $20 by Meriwether Lewis. Until 1985 when historian Donald Jackson corrected the mistake, Seaman was misidentified as "Scannon."
Famous for its large size, pleasing disposition and strong swimming ability, the Newfoundland breed was well suited to the rigors of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Seaman helped feed the explorers by catching beavers, squirrels and even an antelope. Capt. Lewis documented a number of Seaman's accomplishments, including the night of May 29, 1805, when his barking saved the sleeping soldiers from a charging buffalo bull. Seaman also warned the soldiers when grizzly bears threatened their camp. The dog is mentioned not only in Lewis' journal, but also those of Capt. William Clark and Sgt. John Ordway.
The large, shaggy Newfoundland remained a loyal and valued member of the Corps of Discovery the entire trip to the Pacific Ocean. It's not known if Seaman arrived back in St. Louis with the expedition on Sept. 23, 1806. Lewis last mentions him on July 15, 1806, when Seaman is battling mosquito bites.
Like Meriwether Lewis, Lord Byron had a beloved Newfoundland. In his epitaph to "Boatswain," the poet calls his dog "the firmest friend." Others who had a pet Newfoundland include Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, George Washington, Robert F. Kennedy, Bing Crosby, King Edward VII and Queen Victoria.
Yes, it's Seaman, named in honor of Capt. Meriwether Lewis' gentle giant of a Newfoundland dog, one of the earliest members of the military expedition that transformed the United States.
Amid the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, Seaman is poised to stir interest in the historic exploration and raise funds for Mr. Goodfellow, the Sioux City Journal charity that gives Christmas toys and candy to hundreds of underprivileged children each year.
Seaman will be claimed by the highest bidder at the annual Little Yellow Dog Auction sponsored by the Ancient and Effervescent Order of Yellow Dogs at noon Dec. 13 in the Terra Center atrium. Don Stone will be master of ceremonies, assisted by Dave Nixon Sr. Bruce Brock and Pat Robeson will be auctioneers.
Before the auction, however, outgoing, affable Seaman will meet visitors from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Discovery Gallery at the Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center on Larsen Park Road. Both the auction and the "Meet Seaman the Little Yellow Dog" events are free and open to the public.
Children, 10 and younger, who draw or paint a picture for Seaman may be photographed with the Newfoundland puppy by Sioux City photographer George Lindblade. Children must present their pictures to interpretive center staff and be accompanied by an adult to qualify for a free photo.
Seaman the Little Yellow Dog comes from Sunni Side Breeders of Little Rock, Iowa. He was purchased by the Sioux City Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center which donated him for the Little Yellow Dog Auction. The puppy can expect to grow to about 28 inches tall and weigh up to about 150 pounds. His famous Corps of Discovery predecessor was purchased in Pittsburgh in 1803 for $20 by Meriwether Lewis. Until 1985 when historian Donald Jackson corrected the mistake, Seaman was misidentified as "Scannon."
Famous for its large size, pleasing disposition and strong swimming ability, the Newfoundland breed was well suited to the rigors of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Seaman helped feed the explorers by catching beavers, squirrels and even an antelope. Capt. Lewis documented a number of Seaman's accomplishments, including the night of May 29, 1805, when his barking saved the sleeping soldiers from a charging buffalo bull. Seaman also warned the soldiers when grizzly bears threatened their camp. The dog is mentioned not only in Lewis' journal, but also those of Capt. William Clark and Sgt. John Ordway.
The large, shaggy Newfoundland remained a loyal and valued member of the Corps of Discovery the entire trip to the Pacific Ocean. It's not known if Seaman arrived back in St. Louis with the expedition on Sept. 23, 1806. Lewis last mentions him on July 15, 1806, when Seaman is battling mosquito bites.
Like Meriwether Lewis, Lord Byron had a beloved Newfoundland. In his epitaph to "Boatswain," the poet calls his dog "the firmest friend." Others who had a pet Newfoundland include Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, George Washington, Robert F. Kennedy, Bing Crosby, King Edward VII and Queen Victoria.
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