Story brings back good memories of Wonder Dog

To the editor:

The Missourian's Associated Press story June 3 about "The legend lives on" brought a smile of nostalgia and a nice warm feeling -- it made my day.

The subject?

Jim the Wonder Dog. I'm here to tell you that every word of it was true. I was introduced to him back in 1933 at the old Dunn Hotel in Sikeston, Mo. (The hotel is long gone.) I was about 19 at the time, working at the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and dating assistant city editor Art L. Wallhausen Sr. at the time. We were married in September 1936. Art took me to meet Jim the Wonder Dog, who was truly a marvel. Others were visiting him from Missouri and several other states.

The things he could do simply could not have been faked.

Art bought me a book later, written about the dog and his master, Sam Van Arsdale. It was an amazing experience. The book is a treasured part of my home library. Great fun!

MILLIE WALLHAUSEN

Charleston, Mo.