Film puts Stubby, famed World War I dog from CT, back in spotlight 

By Pat Eaton-Robb
Associated Press, via the Waterbury, CT Republican-American newspaper web site

HARTFORD (AP) — Curt Deane says his grandfather would be thrilled to know that a century after his service in World War I, people have not forgotten the heroics of his dog, Stubby.

A new animated film based on the true story of the decorated war dog, “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” opens April 13.

This April 30, 1919 photograph provided by the Connecticut State Library shows famed war dog Stubby walking in a homecoming parade for World War I veterans in Hartford, Conn. Stubby is the subject of a new animated movie being released on April 13, 2018. (Connecticut State Library via AP)Director Richard Lanni says he tried to be as authentic as possible when telling the story of the small stray who was adopted in 1917 by Deane’s grandfather, J. Robert Conroy, of New Britain, while he was training in New Haven.

Conroy was able to smuggle Stubby aboard a ship taking soldiers to Europe and, as the story goes, the Boston Terrier mix became the mascot of the 102nd Regiment by charming officers with his ability to salute, a trick which Conroy taught him.

Stubby was never made a sergeant, Deane said. But he did have many documented exploits, earning a medal that was presented to the dog by famed Gen. John Pershing.

“Before Stubby was a cartoon, he was a real dog, and he really did some amazing things,” Deane said.

Read the entire article on the Republican-American newspaper web site here:

External Web Site Notice: This page contains information directly presented from an external source. The terms and conditions of this page may not be the same as those of this website. Click here to read the full disclaimer notice for external web sites. Thank you.