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Greyfriars Bobby is one of Edinburgh's most famous residents. The exact origins of his story have been lost in the passing of time. In one version, Bobby was owned by Constable John Gray of the Edinburgh Police. Another account claims that Bobby's master was John Gray (Auld Jock), a shepherd from the Pentland Hills who died on a visit to Edinburgh in 1858. Whoever his real owner was, after his death 1858, Bobby sat devotedly by his master's grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard (churchyard) for 14 years, and was fed by local people.

In 1867, a new duty on dogs was introduced, putting Bobby in danger as he had no legal owner. By now, his story had reached important public figures and the Lord Provost paid the duty, giving Bobby his own inscribed collar. Bobby died in 1872.

It is believed that this plaster model was used to make the bronze statue of Greyfriars Bobby which can still be seen on the corner of Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge in Edinburgh. The statue was designed by William Brodie and was commissioned by Lady Burdett-Coutts as a memorial to Greyfriars Bobby's display of devotion to his dead master.