Sideways the Dog | Atlanta GA | Georgia Tech Campus

A small terrier, affectionately named Sideways, wriggled her way into the hearts of Georgia Tech students in the 1940s. To this day, she is still honored by students on campus and lives on in the history and tradition of this prestigious technical institute.

Come with us as we tell you her heartwarming story, and maybe, just maybe, you, too, will fall in love with Sideways, The Dog, the Sweetheart of Georgia Tech.

Fun Facts About Sideways the Dog | Atlanta GA

1 Sideways was a terrier, with white fur and a black patch on her face.
2 Her grave is just northwest of the iconic Tech Tower on the Georgia Tech campus.
3 As a result of the surgery to repair the injuries received from being thrown out of a moving car, her head and shoulders were approximately fifteen degrees out of line with the back of her body.
4 Students often fed Sideways food from the dining hall.
5 Sideways slept in a different dorm each night.

Read the Transcript of This Stories, Secrets & Sagas Episode

Jamie On camera:

Love for a dog…sometimes it can be so strong that even years after the animal has left this world, the stories and memories continue on. Such is the case of a white terrier from Georgia Tech named Sideways.

Opening

Voiceover:

In March of 1945 a dog was thrown from a car window near the Varsity in downtown Atlanta. The fall severely injured the dog, so much so that it required surgery. Unfortunately, the result was a somewhat crooked dog whose head was permanently positioned at an angle from her tail. When she walked, ran or just stood…she was always at an angle.

Jamie On camera:

The story goes that a kind woman named Mrs. Schofield, took care of the dog after its surgery and since she lived near the Georgia Tech…well, it became a regular visitor on the campus. Upon seeing this loving dog, students affectionately named her Sideways.

Interview with Kate Bosen (Georgia Tech):

Jamie: So, Kate, are there any really cool, memorable stories that you can share about Sideways?

Kate: Absolutely! Sideways was known for going to lectures with some of the students. She would often fall asleep during boring lectures, is what they would say. Then, during interesting lectures, she would be engaged and staring intently at whatever professor. But, there is no word on what her GPA was. And she would also lead the football team onto field sometimes during games. She would march with the ROTC, and so she was truly the Sweetheart of Georgia Tech. She was loved by all of the students.

Jamie. Awww. It sounds like it. That’s wonderful!

Kate: And so, this was even before women were allowed to be full-time students here during the day, and so she was the first true female presence here on campus.

Jamie: That is fantastic!

Voiceover:

Sadly, on August 14, 1947, Sideways died from what many think was the result of eating rat poison. The death of this beloved animal shook the Georgia Tech students and faculty who had grown to love this dog and accept it as their mascot.

Jamie On camera:

After her death, grief ridden Georgia Tech students had a marble monument placed over the spot of her burial. And from what I hear, students still place coins on the grave to honor her memory and for good luck on exams. Ever Faithful and True…another Stories, Secrets and Sagas episode.

Special thanks to:

Georgia Tech

Lance E. Wallace

Kate Bosen

Marilyn Somers

Visit The Tomb of Sideways the Dog at Georgia Tech in Atlanta GA

North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332

Check out our episode on The Georgia Guide Stones!

Click Here