A Victoria canine recognized for serving to increase money for the Canadian Red Cross through the First World War, who was preserved by way of taxidermy after his dying, has been discovered after almost seven a long time.
Muggins was skilled to walk round B.C.’s capital with two donation packing containers tied to his again, accumulate money for troops combating overseas, and to return to his proprietor, deposit the donations and resume his rounds — one thing that earned him fame and admiration on Vancouver Island.
According to the Red Cross, the tiny white Spitz canine’s efforts helped increase $21,000, equal to round $330,000 in 2023.
After Muggins died in 1920 on the age of seven, he was preserved by way of taxidermy and placed on show on the B.C. Legislative Assembly, the place the mount — what the preserved animal is named — was additionally used to solicit donations for troops throughout the Second World War.
Shortly after, round 1955, Muggins’ mount disappeared from public view — till late 2023, when he was unearthed in a Victoria-area shed.
Muggins would wander round downtown Victoria along with his donation packing containers strapped to him, and return after they have been full. This image was taken in 1918. (Saanich Archives/Canadian Red Cross)
Jo-Anne Gallagher realized the canine of their shed was Muggins after watching a TV information story. A buddy who had been clearing their attic gave the mount to her husband, Paul Sommerard.
“It was round Remembrance Day — there was a narrative on there about Muggins,” Gallagher stated. “I stated to Phil, ‘That appears to be like just like the canine we’ve got within the shed.’ And so we checked it out.
“I tracked down the person they have been speaking to on the interview and I contacted him. I gave him a telephone name and he gave the impression to be fairly excited.”
Paul Jenkins, a volunteer historian for the B.C.-Yukon Red Cross History Project, stated he initially thought the canine had deteriorated and been disposed of. (CHEK News)
That person is Paul Jenkins, volunteer co-ordinator for the B.C.-Yukon Red Cross History Project. After arriving on the shed, he stated he instantly knew it was Muggins.
“No doubt in my thoughts,” the historian stated. “We’ve bought photos of those stamps … the underside of the bottom has bought stamps on it from the taxidermist.”
Sommerard stated Jenkins and the Red Cross had been “extensively” trying to find the mount because it disappeared, and that the historian was over the moon to search out it.
A postcard that includes Muggins with members of the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR) in 1918. (Saanich Archives/Canadian Red Cross)
Muggins’ rediscovery has prompted new appreciation for his fame and a transfer to have his mount displayed extra prominently in Victoria.
“The Red Cross would not need to be the centre of the story,” Jenkins stated.
“I believe that the centre of the story is the truth that … he is a group asset if you’ll. The group … got here collectively to assist a necessity.”
Pictures with royalty
According to the Red Cross, the one-foot-tall Muggins turned one thing of a vacationer attraction in Victoria, visiting ferries and ocean liners that stopped within the harbour.
One biography notes the canine was owned by a Victoria lady named G.W. Woodward.
Muggins turned well-liked amongst folks at a time when morale was fluctuating, Jenkins stated.
The mount was in a dilapidated situation after a long time of being saved in an attic, in accordance with Jenkins, and needed to be restored by one other taxidermist, Dulchis Mortem in Mission, B.C. (CHEK News)
“He represented the need at the moment to assist the necessity, which was offering assist to the troopers within the First World War,” he stated.
“It was not unusual throughout the nation. We discovered at the very least three different dogs in Victoria that have been used [for donations] within the First World War, Second World War. But Muggins by far was the lead in that subject.”
The canine was well-known sufficient to get an image with Edward, Prince of Wales, who would later turn into King Edward VIII.
A postcard of Muggins the canine and Edward, the Prince of Wales, with a young Doris Baker presenting {a photograph} of Muggins to the prince. Then-B.C. premier John Oliver is on the left. (Saanich Archives/Canadian Red Cross)
A shock discovery
Gallagher and Sommerard stated they obtained the mount from a buddy, Dave Citra, who was cleansing out his attic round 2018.
Jenkins stated after being utilized in quite a lot of fundraising occasions, Muggins was placed within the Army Navy Veterans Club building in Victoria round 1955 — then disappeared after the building went by way of renovations.
At the time, Dave’s father, John Citra and his mom each labored close by.
A postcard of Muggins with two troopers and a Red Cross ambulance, taken in 1919. (Saanich Archives/Canadian Red Cross)
“Through the investigation, we discover out that the Citras introduced Muggins to their home,” Jenkins stated. “Why, precisely, we do not know, however I believe they have been dog-crazy and any individual most likely stated, ‘Do you need the canine?'”
After a couple of years, in accordance with the historian, Muggins was put within the attic and forgotten about.
In 2018, a possible sale of the home led to the mount’s rediscovery.
Jenkins stated he’s now in talks with the Costume Museum at Government House, the B.C. lieutenant governor’s official residence, to have Muggins on show there completely — which is more likely to come to fruition in spring.
