If you have lived in Rhode Island since you were a kid, chances are you have a photo of yourself perched on top of the Sentinel Dog Statue.

The Sentinal Dog, named "Black Prince" is a hero and there's a whole lot more story than just a pretty bronze statue at the zoo. The Sentinel Dog statue, cast by artist Thomas Frederick Hoppin in 1851, it has been said, is "probably the most recognized sculpture in Rhode Island." Donated to the park in 1896, the Sentinel Dog was one of the first bronzes cast in America. It was shown at the Crystal Palace in London and was the winner of a gold medal from the NY Academy of Design.

300 pounds of cast bronze Staff Photo

In 1849 the Black Prince saved Jenkins family children, Moses and Anna, from a fire, barking loudly to alert them. In her later years, Anna married Thomas Hoppin, who made the statue in the memory of the heroic pet and displayed it on the lawn of the Hoppin House until they donated it to the park, where it has become a part of Rhode Island history.

You can find the sculpture near the Marco Polo exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Take exit 17 from the north or 16 from the south to Elmwood. You can visit the zoo's website at www.rwpzoo.org

You can read about more heroic dogs at:
• Dogs in the News
• Vet.UTK.EDU
• Petsmart
• BBC News

Many thanks to Miriam Leggett who provided additional information about Black Prince.

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