Safe With Logan!

Original story discovered in The Journal Junior, Minneapolis, June 08, 1901

In Lake Minnetonka’s history, few stories of man’s best friend have made it into the records. Dogs have long been part of our lives, yet their tales are rarely told. One such story dates back 125 years, to a time when dogs roamed freely and often belonged to more than one household.

Originally published in 1901, this account comes from 13-year-old C. Winthrop Bowen, who fondly recalled a neighborhood dog named Logan. When Bowen and the local boys went swimming in the lake, they often ventured into deep water—above their heads. As they dove under, they’d stick their hands up through the surface. Logan, mistaking it for a sign of distress, would spring into action.

Swimming out to each boy, Logan would slap their raised hands with his tail, signaling them to grab hold. One by one, he towed them safely back to shore. It became a routine, and one that built deep trust.

The boys’ mothers were always wary of letting them swim alone—unless Logan was there. If the vigilant dog accompanied the group, the mothers felt confident enough to stay home, trusting their sons’ safety to Logan’s watchful care.

Though almost completely lost to time, this story remains a charming reminder of the special bond between communities and their dogs. Logan wasn’t just a pet; he was a lifeguard, a friend, and a silent guardian of summer days long past.