Paddy the Wanderer
On the outside of the Academy of Fine Arts building on the Wellington waterfront, I noticed a few weeks ago a memorial to a dog, called Paddy the Wanderer. I was taken by the story, and felt it worth blogging about.
Paddy was the pet of a young girl whose father was a seaman and she would often take him to the wharves to meet her father returning. She died in 1928 of pneumonia and Paddy took to wandering the wharves, possibly looking for his mistress.
He became the adopted pet of the watersiders, the harbour board workers. the seamen and the taxi drivers. They fed him and paid his registration fees.
He got to travel around Wellington, the country and even overseas. Taxi drivers would drive him around Wellington and he travelled on boats to most ports around NZ, and even on occasion to Australia. He even got to fly in a gipsy moth.
The Wellington Harbour Board appointed Paddy Assistant Night Watchman, with responsibility for pirates, smugglers and rodents. They say he was a very intelligent dog who for example would not cross a street until the light turned green.
Paddy died in 1939 and had a fleet of black taxis with a Police escort carry his coffin, bringing Wellington to a standstill. During the dark days of the Great Depression, Paddy became loved by many Wellingtonians and many who were alive them have a story about him.
You can see a photo of him in this old Evening Post.
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October 5th, 2011 at 11:09 am
As a very fortunate owner of an Airedale Terrier I am very familiar with the story of Paddy the Wanderer.
Airedales are the most amazing dogs & I sometimes wonder if our boy may well be a distant relation of Paddy’s.
I especially like how the memorial in Wellington has both a drinking fountain for us humans & a runoff into a drinking bowl for dogs.
Great story.
October 5th, 2011 at 11:26 am
What a delightful story. I’m a cat person myself. However dogs are indispensible in so many ways.
cheers
David Prosser
October 5th, 2011 at 11:32 am
There are no other dogs in this world quite like Airedales.
October 5th, 2011 at 11:42 am
I remember noticing that memorial 30 years ago when I was an anti nuclear protestor with lots of time to kill around the Wellington wharves. New Zealand’s own version of “Grayfriars Bobby”….
Sadly none of that could ever happen now…OSH, security regulations, scum who kill animals for fun…
October 5th, 2011 at 11:48 am
For a moment I thought this was going to be another post about Paddy Gower’s singing ability.
October 5th, 2011 at 11:49 am
Man I love stories like these. It just reinforces that 99% of people are decent citizens.
October 5th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Didnt take long for some anonymous vermin from the Green Party to ruin the “feel good” story of the day…
October 5th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Great story. Would make a good book/movie.
October 5th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
I also like the statue of John Plimmer and his dog at the bottom of Plimmer’s Steps. Lots of tourists stop to pose for photos with the dog, which is very well rendered.
Prime attraction along the waterfront at the moment though is the juvenile seal who has been in residence on the rocks by Frank Kitts Park for a few weeks.
October 5th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Take a single post off toad. People like dogs and good stories about them.
October 5th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Farmerpete
There has been a book written on this story. I guess any second hand book shop will be the best bet. I think it was actually called Paddy the Wanderer
October 5th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Double ditto.
October 5th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Brought a tear to my eye.
Almost as much as the photo of brand-new KA 945…
October 5th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
How appropriate to remember Paddy. Dogs, unlike people, are unconditional lovers.
October 5th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
David Garrett: That ruined the story for you?
I feel a dead baby, fake passport anecdote coming on for some reason. Curious! I wonder why?
Oh that’s right, it’s because you’re no-one to be crying “hurt feelings”, no-one at all.
October 5th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Another leftie being an obnoxious prick, how refreshing.
October 5th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Stop the flaming or demerits will ensure.
October 5th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Ensure what?
October 5th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
They’ll ensure that I stop flaming Mr Garret, presumably
Sorry DPF, noted.