The Saint Bernard or St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland. They were originally bred for rescue work by the hospice of the Great St Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border. The hospice, built by and named after Italian monk Bernard of Menthon, acquired its first dogs between 1660 and 1670. The breed has become famous through tales of Alpine rescues, as well as for its large size, and gentle temperament.
Saint Bernard (Dog)
Lady
for Lady in Assassin's Creed: The Guardian's Loyal Hound
Suggested by benpopplewell
Following the liberation of London in 1868 and the harrowing autumn of 1888, the story begins with a heated argument fueled by years of lies, broken promises, and lives lost to his arrogance, Master Assassin Evie Frye confronts her twin brother, Jacob. Shortly after this escalating shouting match, Scotland Yard arrests Jacob for property destruction and unauthorised warfare, sentencing him to prison behind bars in 1892. Three years later, after decades of navigating industrial London and political landscapes in British India, Evie adopts a Saint Bernard named "Lady" after the Dame Order of the Sacred Garter. The dog beautifully bridges Evie's dual identity as a lethal Master Assassin and a prominent member of late-Victorian and early-Edwardian high society. On the eve of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, Lady wakes Evie with a rhythmic tail thud and an affectionate lick to her face, sparking an amused chuckle and starting Evie's morning routine. Evie leashes Lady and steps out into the bustling capital, during their stroll, associate Clara O’Dea spots them. Recognising Clara's scent, Lady breaks her trained discipline out of pure joy, bounding ahead to lick Clara’s face. A flock of local street children quickly swarm the massive dog, burying their hands in her thick fur; to them, Lady is the loyal, beloved heart of London. Lady proves she is far more than a high-society pet. Later that night, she uses a fierce growl and bark to pin down Templars, establishing herself as a loving hero, a vital ally to Evie, and an unsung, furry sentinel of the British Brotherhood. For over a decade, Lady’s steady heartbeat provided a comforting rhythm for the sanctuary until she passes away in the winter of 1907 at the snowy English countryside of Frye estate as both women wept openly, mourning the loss of the fierce and gentle protector who had loyally served their family.
