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Paddy the Wanderer
by Dianne Haworth
The true story of the dog who captured the heart of the city.
This is a well-researched and endearing non-fiction account of
an amazing Airedale that captured public imagination throughout
New Zealand during the Great Depression, and that is today
honoured in Wellington by a statue celebrating his status as a
much-loved local legend.
Like Scotland's ‘Greyfriars Bobby’, ‘Paddy’ mourned the loss of
his human, in his case a little mistress who died of pneumonia,
but instead of haunting a graveyard, Paddy headed for the
waterfront.
There he became a favourite of the watersiders and
seamen, not to mention the taxi and tram drivers of the central
city, who fed him and protected him from dog rangers. |
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Picture from the book ‘Paddy the Wanderer’ |
He certainly got around, taken on board ship and crossing the
Tasman, travelling around coastal ports and even flying in a
Gypsy Moth, not to mention the dastardly attempt by jealous
Aucklanders to move him to Auckland. He was also rumoured to
have made it to San Francisco and back.
Formally adopted by the Wellington Harbour Board, his official
title was Assistant Night Watchman responsible for pirates,
smugglers and rodents. On his death, his funeral procession
brought Wellington to a standstill. Not bad for a stray dog.
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Dianne Haworth is an award-winning journalist and author of
adult sporting books and biographies, and is HarperCollins’
leading local biographer. An experienced editor and journalist,
she edits ‘Animal Voice’ for the SPCA, and is a devoted animal
lover. Dianne was raised in the Waikato and Wellington and now
lives and works in Auckland. ‘Paddy the Wanderer’ is her first
work for children.
"To have the privilege of writing the tale of the legendary dog,
Paddy the Wanderer, has been to embark on a wondrous,
entertaining journey – comparable, perhaps, with one of Paddy's
own voyages.
"Such is the charisma of the dog that even now, almost seventy
years after his death, Paddy remains as large a personality as
ever he was in life. I had only to say to people working in many
different spheres that I was researching the life of Paddy the
Wanderer, for all doors to open. Everyone, it seemed, had a
grandfather, an uncle, someone in the family or an acquaintance
who had spoken fondly to them of Paddy.
"Paddy's personality affected me deeply. In him I saw glimpses
of our dog, of dogs we have had, of dogs I have known. And, as I
read contemporary accounts – and then wrote – of Paddy's death,
I found myself weeping for a dog, long gone, who had touched so
many lives then and who still brings a smile to the face of
those who know his story." Dianne Haworth |
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The author and publishers wish to thank the Museum of Wellington
City & Sea for their willing involvement, support and permission
to use the title 'Paddy the Wanderer'.
Cover art by Rebekah Tisch of Weta Workshop
Internal illustrations by Frank Victoria of Weta Workshop
Recommended Retail Price $18.99
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