Eos

The greyhound bitch Eos, named for the Greek goddess of the dawn, accompanied him to England when he was courting Queen Victoria and once they married in 1840. She died in July 1844. Queen Victoria wrote of this, ‘I cannot somehow imagine him without her. She was such a beautiful & sweet creature & used to play so much with the Children, & be so full of tricks...it is quite like losing a friend.’ Lifesize bronzes of Eos were placed in the gardens at Osborne House and Windsor Castle. This is a smaller version in the same pose, inspired by a painting of her by Edwin Landseer.

Albert's dog Eos was there; a charming black greyhound…she is so gentle, and so clever; gives her paw; jumps an immense height, eats off a fork, &c.; and loves Albert so dearly - which is natural.

Queen Victoria’s Journal, 12 October 1839

From Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, Christmas 1839