Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Caesar, the Dog Who Was Placed in Front of Royalty


On a sunny morning in May of 1910, the funeral procession for the late Edward VII, son of Queen Victoria, made its way from Westminster. 

A small terrier, his leash held by a kilted Highland soldier, led the cortege, with international dignitaries following up behind.

The dog was Caesar, born Caesar of Notts in 1898, and sired by Cackler of Notts from the  kennels of Kathleen, Duchess of Newcastle.  The dog had been given to King Edward VII by Lord Dudley in 1902 to replace the King's earlier dog, Jack, also a terrier, which had died choking on food.



In life, Caesar had been the constant companion of Edward VII and wore an ornate collar made by Faberge that read:  “I am Caesar. I belong to the King.”

The year of the King's death, a children's book about Caesar was hastily published, entitled "Where's Master?" and with the authorship attributed to the small dog himself.




If you go to Edward's grave in St George’s Chapel, the marble figure of Caesar can be seen curled up at the foot of the King's tomb.



But this is not where Caesar himself is buried. After the death of Edward, the dog went to live with Queen Alexandra at Marlborough House in London, where the dog died on April 18, 1914.  The little terrier was buried on the grounds, and given a marble headstone, complete with picture.


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