Before Fed Ex and UPS, there was the Greyhound Package Express run by the Greyhound Bus Company founded in 1913.  To our knowledge, Greyhound still offers shipping with expedited cargo shipping door-to-door or station-to-station delivery 24/7.

The first actual Greyhound to become the company mascot was a bitch born in 1957 in Clay Center, Kansas. She debuted on a Greyhound TV commercial during the Steve Allen show and was dubbed, “Steverino.”  The Dog Welfare Guild later chose her as Queen of National Dog Week the same year ” naming her “the canine most exemplifying dogdom.”  “Steverino” got even more famous after she was “interviewed” by syndicate news writers. The appearance spawned fan clubs with more than 500,000 members and a stuffed toy with her likeness. She became a symbol of a Philadelphia safety campaign, ambassador for many charities, and was insured by Lloyd’s of London for $300,000, a hefty sum in those days.

After Greyhound Corporation decided to cease sponsorship of the Steve Allen show, “Steverino” was renamed “Lady Greyhound” as was announced on a Greyhound Corporation commercial during the “Jack Benny” show.   She continued to travel for the Greyhound Corporation,  and would help inaugurate new bus terminals by biting through “ribbons” of dog bones. She even made an appearance at the White House.

The ad campaign ended in 1970, but for those of us who remember her, it’s hard not to think of Lady Greyhound when a Greyhound bus goes by.

Photo of the introduction of Greyhound Package Express found on Pinterest.