explained his reasons for seeking an examination of his dog, and Dr. Durant expressed interest, believing that he and his staff could expose any deception. On the day of Jim’s examination, Dr. Durant invited Dr. Sherman Dickinson, two psychiatrists from Washington University, his staff, and students to observe. Dr. Durant initially performed a physical examination, noting that Jim presented as a typical Llewellyn setter. Following the examination, the assembled doctors, students, and invited guests convened in the veterinary school courtyard, where Jim was made available for observation and requests. Medical professionals directed Jim to perform a series of tasks, including identifying individuals with specific traits and pointing out particular vehicles, utilizing multiple languages in their instructions. Simultaneously, they requested that Sam remain stationary and visible to the observers, minimizing even eye movement, to determine if Jim was receiving any form of communication or cues. However, no interaction occurred between Sam and the canine subject; following each instruction, Jim returned to Sam’s side and assumed a recumbent position. His achievements were exceptional. The sole mission he did not complete involved identifying a
might never come again to a dog in many generations.” In March 1937, twelve-year-old Jim accompanied Sam on a hunting trip. Upon arriving at a wooded area near the lake, Jim exited the vehicle and shortly thereafter collapsed. Sam immediately transported Jim to the Sedalia Animal Hospital; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Sam, considering Jim a cherished member of their family, desired to inter him in their family plot at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, Missouri. However, cemetery administration denied this request due to their policy prohibiting animal burials. An adjacent landowner, a farmer, learned of the Sam’s interment request and proposed an alternative burial site on his property, contiguous to the cemetery. Sam accepted this offer. The family, and Jim, ultimately prevailed. Cemetery expansion necessitated the acquisition of the farmer’s land, thereby incorporating Jim’s gravesite within the cemetery boundaries. Even now, decades later, cemetery personnel confirm frequent
inquiries involved straightforward questions such as, “Will our baby be a boy or a girl?” (Sam facilitated this by providing Jim with written options.) However, the complexity of the questions escalated to include queries such as, “Who will win the World Series?” and, “Who will be our next president?” Beginning in 1930, Sam initiated a practice of soliciting Jim’s predictions for the Kentucky Derby winner. Sam prepared slips of paper listing the anticipated contenders. These slips were presented to Jim, and the question, “Which horse will win the Kentucky Derby this year?” was posed. Jim would then select a slip by placing his paw upon it. This chosen slip was subsequently sealed in an envelope and secured in a safe. This procedure was replicated for seven years. Remarkably, upon opening each year’s sealed prediction, Jim’s selection proved accurate. This phenomenon remains unexplained. Numerous business propositions were received. Nevertheless, Sam, like everyone else, was perplexed by Jim’s apparent ability to understand conversations. Sam contacted Dr. A.J. Durant, head of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri. Sam
visits to Jim’s grave, marked by offerings of coins and flowers.
A museum dedicated to Jim the Wonder Dog is situated in Marshall, MO.
boy with a recent permanent wave; the boy was quite distressed and departed before identification could be made. Dr. Durant and the faculty convened to review their findings. Ultimately, Dr. Durant came out and announced their conclusion: that Jim “possessed an occult power that
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 11
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