Paddy was a ginger and brown terrier who became well known and loved on the Wellington waterfront in the 1930s. He was originally named Dash, the beloved pet of a little girl, Elise Glasgow, whose father worked as a seaman. Tragically, Elise died of pneumonia in 1928 at the age of 3. Dash left home and wandered the docks, presumably looking for his lost playmate. He became somewhat of a celebrity on the wharfs and was cared for by seamen, dock workers, and local taxi drivers, who took turns paying his annual dog licensing fees. He was featured in a number of newspaper articles. Taxi drivers took him for rides around the city and to the countryside, seamen took him on voyages along the NZ shore, and once he sailed as far as Australia! In 1935 he even took a flight in a Gipsy Moth biplane; it was reported he rather enjoyed the experience (though I'm not convinced).
In his last few years he held the noble title of Assistant Watchman, keeping an eye out for robbers, pirates, and rodents. By the age of 13 he started showing signs of old age and could no longer travel very far. He now spent most of his time in and around the Tally Clerk's stand. As his health further deteriorated, he was visited on his sick bed by friends from near and far; he was even seen by a vet. On July 19, 1939, Paddy died. Obituary notices were placed in the local newspapers. A fleet of black taxis formed a funeral procession to take his coffin from the warfs.
Funds were gathered by Paddy's friends, and in 1945 a memorial drinking fountain (with dog dishes at the base) was erected at the wharf.
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