Barry (1800–1814) was one of the most famous rescuers who worked out of a monastery in the treacherous and snowbound Great Saint Bernhardt Pass over the Alps, devoting his life to searching for wayward travelers trapped in the icy mountain pass. It's estimated that Barry personally saved more than 40 people before retiring to Bern at the age of 12 — presumably to while away the rest of his days in comfort, drinking whisky from the little wooden thermos around his neck. In honor of Barry and his selfless, heroic breed of rescuers, they will forever bear the name of "St. Bernard" after the infamous mountain pass they once patrolled.

The monastery is still there, the monks still run a hospice for weary travelers, and they still organize search-and-rescue patrols. But though a century ago the St. Bernards were the famous key figures in Alpine rescue crews, loping out to lost mountain climbers with a teensy barrel of hard liquor strapped to their collars — in the 19th century, a bellyful of scotch and a big fluffy dog to snuggle next to in the cold were considered "first aid" — now the monastic S&R teams use surer-footed Alsatians.

But it turns out those hardy monks are real softies after all. In honor of the breed's faithful historic service, the monastery maintains a kennel of (rather pampered) St. Bernards, just for old time's sake.

Copyright © 1999 by Reid Bramblett. All rights reserved.