the story of a loyal dog
The name Greybobby comes from a dog known as Greyfriar’s Bobby who lived in Edinburg, Scotland in the late 1800s. When his master, John Gray, died, Bobby began to stand watch over his grave in Greyfriar’s Cemetery.
Bobby daily stood vigil by the grave until the end of his life 14-years later. This faithful dog became known as Greyfriar’s Bobby, and was buried near his master’s grave. He was later memorialized as a statue and fountain (for humans and dogs alike) near the cemetery.
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Photograph By Michael Reeve – Photograph taken by Michael Reeve, 15 September 2003. Uploaded to en.wikipedia 22:02, 9 Jun 2004 by en:User:MykReeve and licensed as GFDL., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111218
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Photograph By Michael Reeve – Photograph taken by Michael Reeve, 15 September 2003. Uploaded to en.wikipedia 22:02, 9 Jun 2004 by en:User:MykReeve and licensed as GFDL., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111218
following the lead
In seminary, having heard the story, Zack Carden sketched a character inspired by the dog: Greybobby, a devoted dog who would teach kids about God.
Zack would go on to write and produce books, radio plays, and games featuring the character in an effort to disciple his children.
Zack would go on to write and produce books, radio plays, and games featuring the character in an effort to disciple his children.
What began as a mere dream and spare time labor of love grew into something more in 2017, when Zack teamed up with Thorne Winter and Preston Cook, two filmmakers who attended his college ministry group in Atlanta, GA.
Thorne and Preston worked to adapt Zack's writings to a visual medium, beginning first with puppetry before settling on the animated format we use today.
Thorne and Preston worked to adapt Zack's writings to a visual medium, beginning first with puppetry before settling on the animated format we use today.
a growing need
We knew that there was need for a show like The Adventures of Greybobby, but there was no real sense of urgency to produce it. During the pandemic and the years that followed, the need grew and the sense of urgency set in. In the midst of the pandemic, we produced a 22-minute long pilot episode, Frankenfinkle's Curious Contraption, and began to pray in earnest for God to provide a way to produce the show.
The need and urgency continue to grow: there is a sharper edge to culture across the board–especially for children.
We see the need to offer children something sacred: a show that does not simply rehash moralism, but truly teaches about Who God is, what He has done for us in Christ, and what He can do in us and through us by His Spirit. This is nothing short of discipleship for a digital age, aimed at the hearts of kids.
We hope to help meet that need.
We see the need to offer children something sacred: a show that does not simply rehash moralism, but truly teaches about Who God is, what He has done for us in Christ, and what He can do in us and through us by His Spirit. This is nothing short of discipleship for a digital age, aimed at the hearts of kids.
We hope to help meet that need.
The road ahead
For us, Greyfriar’s Bobby symbolizes the devotion we are meant to have to our Lord. Our prayer is that our little cartoon dog will help create the devotion to Jesus that the real dog Bobby had to his own master.
Our vision is to encourage and equip kids to become devoted followers of Christ and to empower parents and caregivers to shepherd them in that process. We know that accomplishing this will be a monumental task, but if the Lord is truly in this, no obstacle will ultimately stand in the way.
Our vision is to encourage and equip kids to become devoted followers of Christ and to empower parents and caregivers to shepherd them in that process. We know that accomplishing this will be a monumental task, but if the Lord is truly in this, no obstacle will ultimately stand in the way.
Greyfriar’s Bobby Fountain Photograph By Michael Reeve – Photograph taken by Michael Reeve, 15 September 2003.
Uploaded to en.wikipedia 22:02, 9 Jun 2004 by en:User:MykReeve and licensed as GFDL., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111218
Uploaded to en.wikipedia 22:02, 9 Jun 2004 by en:User:MykReeve and licensed as GFDL., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111218