TRIBUTE TO DOG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23401, 18 July 1939, Page 10

TRIBUTE TO DOG

WANDERING TERRIER DEATH IN WELLINGTON WATERSIDERS AND TAXI-MEN [by telegraph—own coimr:sronnknt] "WELLINGTON, Monday One of tho strangest funerals held in Wellington took place to-day. It was held for a dog well known as "Paddy tho Wanderer" or "The Irish Flying Dutchman," who frequented the Wellington wharves and travelled in New Zealand and overseas in any ship which took his fancy. This brown Irish terrier had thousands of friends among Seamen, waterside workers and taxi drivers, and the funeral was no mock affair, but a touching tributo to a good comrade.Paddy died early this morning. His body was wrapped in a shroud at the Harbour Board shed No. 1, where ho died, placed in a coffin, and put on tho hack of 0110 of tho 12 taxis which took part. 011 tho coffin were tho words "Paddy tho Wanderer —At Best." Fifty or 60 watcrsiders and seamen watched the cortege start on its short journey from Queen's Wharf to the incinerator. A traffic officer led the way. Fondness for Travel Ever since people can remember him, the wanderlust was strong in Paddy. By air, land and sea in tho past ten or 12 years he travelled all around tho New Zealand coast, and to many inland towns, and even further afield. Ho was one stowaway who was greeted cheerfully whenever be came aboard. He always came back to Wellington as his headquarters. He acknowledged no owner, and ho was the friend of all who work about ships or the waterfront, and fraternised with them as an equal. Ifc was after tho dog catchers had caught Paddy in an unguarded moment that tho taxi drivers proved their friendship by clubbing together ana paying his licence fee and guaranteeing it for the future. Ho showed scant gratitudo to his rescuers, however, for a week later ho left town. It is said this was his first sea voyage. Trip by Air Now and then he would make a run up country with his taxi driver friends, and he knew many of _ the North Island towns. Ho mado a trip by air, too, a few years ago at the expense of his friends. Paddy was extraordinarily intelligent. For instance, he knew traffic lights, and would not cross tho street until tho green light showed. For this reason ho was well known to the Wellington traffic officers. Two 'weeks ago Paddy fell ill. Taxi drivers sent him to a home for dogs, but bo started to fret, and when one of the men went to the homo with his car Paddy immediately left in it. Later he wandered to the wharves and took refuge in No. 1 shed. A veterinary surgeon attended to him, but the cold r>nap was apparently too much for him.