Hello there, all my furry friends! I know its 'Wordless Wednesday', but Im dying to tell you something, so I have converted this day, here, into 'Wordful Wednesday'. Hope that's ok with you...just for today....
Due to my self-imposed status of TOUR GUIDE, and for those of you who don't know this story, I would like to introduce to you the amazing story of one of my iconic dogs from SOUTH AFRICA. His story is doing the rounds again here in SA, and I didn't want you guys to miss out. It's the amazing story of:
"JUST NUISANCE",
1st April 1937 - 1st April 1944
Just Nuisance was a Great Dane who lived in Simonstown in the Cape during WW2 who was the only dog ever to acquire full Royal Navy Honors. The details of his amazing story can be further viewed at the links posted below, as well as a wonderful YOUTUBE VIDEO AT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPNX_ORZ264M
In summary though, Just Nuisance was an extremely friendly dog who lived near the Naval Base in Simonstown during that period. He was particularly fond of sailors and accompanied them regularly in the trains running from Simonstown to Cape Town (a distance of about 30kms). Sailors often offered to pay for his train fare when he was approached by disgruntled conductors. After a threat to be banned from the railways, Just Nuisance was awarded full Naval status with the title:
"ABLE SEAMAN JUST NUISANCE, R.N".
This status came with a free pass on the trains, which the dog made full use of. Apparently he was a dog with enormous character and displayed alliegance to every sailor who came into contact with him. He became their Royal Navy mascot. No other dog, to my knowledge, has ever been given fully RN status.
Just Nuisance was put to sleep on 1st April 1944 by a Naval Veterinary officer, after suffering from progressive paralysis thought to be as a result of a car accident.
He was buried with full military honors, including the playing of the "last post" and a gun salute. His grave is a popular tourist attraction on a mountain overlooking Simonstown.
The statue in the picture above was erected in his honour, in Jubilee Square, in Simonstown.
Long live the spirit and memory of our dear poochy colleague...
JUST NUISANCE!!
Lots of licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
Other links:
http://www.albatrosshouse.co.za/nuisance.html
http://www.epets.co.za/?PageID=10109&ArticleId10486
Breaking news: Thanks to the attentiveness of our local kitty visitor, "Madd" - from Cape Town, we have noted our erroneous ommission of the relationship between the felines of our world and the navy. Please check out their stories too, starting at:...
http://www.allaboutcats.co.za/feline%20just%20nuisance.htm
23 comments:
Max
We love that story! 'Just Nuisance' - what a great name and what a great dog he was.
We were so impressed with his 'send-off' too!
If we ever make it to SA - that's one monument we're going to see!
Take care
Clive
what a lovely story.....
maxdog, you are so handsome!
That was worth having words on a Wednesday for sure. You live in a most interesting place.
Thank you for sharing some doggie history with us.
Slobbers,
Mango
Thx for sharing that, how interesting!!!
lotsa licks,
Miley
what an incredible story - thanx so much for sharing
Woodrow - Sweetie - MJ
Hi Max
What a great story - thank you for telling us all about Just Nuisance!
Have a lovely Wednesday.
love
Martha & Bailey xxx
Meow..hello..purr.
Ah I have heard this story in the tales from my noble lineage. Nuisance existed in a time before the great human/cat confrontation in Simonstown. One of my friend's ancestors made a lucky escape, when the military humans 'removed' all the cats from the Simonstown military base.
I'm sure there were few mice...but the humans were worried about the penguins I am told by my tabby friend next door.
Very interesting story though...
Happy days!
Meow.
Dear Madd
Thank you for all your comments.
I should caution you about wanting to demolish our hamster! This is primarily a dog-blog and you would be wise to remember that you are well outnumbered! Between Mango and myself and my pack your kittiness will be pulled from her/IT'S pedestal!
But Mom says that Im far too harsh...you should be respected and listened too! Well, me the MAXDOG IS LISTENING! I have Tammy on standby...she loves plucking pigeons, so I can well imagine what she would do for the MADD!
Anyway, thanks for flying our South African flag! You are to be congratulated on being the first SA COMMENT on my blog.
Now, how about a blog of your own?
Lots of reluctant licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
Thank you for the wonderful story of Just Nuisance. He was VERY special. We don't mind you had a lot of words for Wordless Wednesday.
Wags
Ernie & Sasha
oh thank you for sharing.....what an interesting and inspiring story
mumsy was in Capetown years ago and says she will visit Nuisance when she goes there again ( she will stop by Capetown on her way home from S America- as our national airline flies via SAfrica )
she says to tell you that you have a beautiful country.....
chikisses
Thanks fur sharing this very cool story, Max!
Luv,
Cloud
Meow hello!
Oh dear, yes I am outnumbered, but I am a friend to most pooches, except those that derive perverse pleasure out of chasing me.
Well, us kitties 'demolishing' rodents can be helpful as you mentioned in your very interesting link. I have heard tales of noble navy cats and am proud of my comrades for flying the feline flag so fantastically.
Tammy eats birds? I don't like doing that unless I'm starving - their feathers get stuck in my teeth! I prefer catching the fish in the big tank in the lounge, but my human has made that challenging now - I wonder why? I don't need a diet!
This blogging thing is new to me...so I may consider starting one at my leasure...but as long as it does not interfere with my sleep.
Tammy sounds like an anti-feline...is that so? She needs rehabilitation I think, she has forgotten her place perhaps?
Happy sleeping tonight...
Meow.
That's a great story!
Madd, dear Kitty
You MUST listen to what I bark:...
Tammy PLUCKS pigeons! When she retrieves our feathered friends two instincts take over:
1. RETRIEVE
2. DON'T KILL
Then, if Mom doesn't notice, she's not sure what to do. She CAN'T let them go and they are all jittery. So she PLUCKS them.
I think that's pretty cool of my girlfriend, but not so cool for the featherless ones.
Lots of licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
Just what to break up the Max/Madd debate for a minute to let you know how much I enjoyed reading about 'Just Nuisance'. I too like travelling on trains, and here in the UK all dogs can travel for free, we don't need a special pass!
Cheers, H.
We're back again to say, you're absolutely right - 'Just Nuisance' could be Honey!
and Madd should certainly get blogging!! Sounds like he has a lot to say!!
night from Dublin
Clive
Hi Max,
My my, I do believe that some fancy network will be offering you lots of monies soon. Because you are just the BEST TRAVEL AGENT ever!
Just love your stories! Very interesting too.
Hugs, Tessa
Pawesome story! Thanks for sharing it!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Thanks Max, for the wonderful story of Nuisance. It seems the world over there are various tales of dogs who just do such noble things for their people. Seems like they are usually loners, too.
Kisses,
Stella
Meow hello!
Tammy sounds like an...interesting...pooch. Clearly she's not concerned about feathers in her teeth.
Does she like terrorizing the pigeons? Maybe we should team up, our mutual...mmm...skills...could prove beneficial to both of us. She likes plucking and I..well...you know. The hamster sounds like a much more humane and practical option to me though, don't you agree?
Keep well.
Purr.
Oh no, Max! I came yesterday and left a long comment for you but it seems to have disappeared!!! It was right after Clive's 2nd comment...I wonder what happened to it??
Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing this - it's great! I feel proud to be a Great Dane now! I went and watched the video - and lots of others on the Tubey thing too - so interesting! There seem to be lots of Great Danes in SA - do you bump into them a lot when you're out and about?
Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane
Hi Max,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Animals such as dogs, horses and pigeons have helped a great deal armies. Glad to hear Just Nuisance was a full seaman! Hey I like swimming in the sea, do I get to join the navy, too?
What a great story! About a great dog!!!
Thanks for sharing, Max!
Love,
Ammy
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