The “Ghost” Dogs of Summer

By Christine Vernon

Many folks have heard the expression “dog days of summer” and immediately think of hot, humid days, particularly in August. The Romans coined the term “dog days of summer” when Sirius, the dog star, would appear in the sky to mark the beginning of the hottest days of the year. 

When the dog days of summer start nipping at the heels of visitors and locals along the South Carolina coast, the first thought of cooling relief is to visit our white sandy beaches and plunge into the brisk Atlantic Ocean. Colorful umbrellas and vibrant beach towels dot the oceanfront while the sounds of crashing waves beat against the shore.

Many tourists and South Carolina natives visit their favorite beaches to escape the summer heat. One in particular is the quaint historical area of Pawleys Island. This community’s rich past is steeped in the remnants of grand plantations, beautiful salt marshes, and local ghosts. And what could be more suitable for the dog days of summer than the tale of the Ghostly Boston Terriers? 

Pawleys Island is home to a charming bed and breakfast called the Pelican Inn. The house was built in the 1840s as a private summer retreat for Hagley Plantation owner Plowden Charles Jenrette Weston and his wife. The cypress wood building is nestled behind the tallest dunes and has withstood the destructive force of many major hurricanes. It eventually was sold to a lumber company, and the employees were permitted to vacation at the house. Years later, a new owner would turn the historic home into an inn that continues to accept guests to this day.

In the mid-twentieth century, a kindly woman took over the inn as caretaker and was in charge of preparing each room for summertime guests. The caretaker’s only constant companions were her two Boston Terriers. Each day, she and her canine comrades strolled along the sandy dunes. Occasionally, the dogs ran and played with the local children. 

One day, as the caretaker walked her dogs along the beach, she heard a child cry for help. She and her pets ran towards the terrifying screams. A small boy was caught in the riptide and was slowly being tossed out to sea. One of the dogs sprinted into the foamy water and swam to the child. The terrier grabbed the boy by his shirt collar and assisted the child safely back to shore. Unfortunately, the heroic little dog ingested too much salt water and passed away a few days later.

The caretaker and her surviving pet were grief-stricken. The remaining terrier was so distressed when he lost his furry friend that he passed away shortly after, some say from a broken heart. 

It took many weeks for the caretaker to leave the inn. Finally, on a delightfully sunny day, she decided it might do her good to walk the beach and breathe in the fresh salt air. As she wandered the dunes, she could hear the laughter of children nearby and the sound of barking dogs. The barking was very familiar and reminded her of her two lost pups.

The caretaker walked a few yards past the dunes and saw a group of children playing with two small terriers. She stood very still and observed the dogs carefully. Suddenly, she realized they were her precious pups. She knelt on the sand and called out to the dogs. Both turned and hurriedly ran towards her. As she opened her arms to embrace them, both pups slowly faded away before her, leaving only their precious paw prints in the sand. 

If you have the chance to go to Pawleys Island and find yourself near the Pelican Inn, take a moment to listen for children laughing and the barking of the caretaker’s ghostly canine companions.