Patsy Ann-her Alaskan spirit never leaves!!
Patsy Ann as she waited on the shores of the Gastineau Channel!
Since we are not in an election with a vice presidential candidate from Alaska, I decided to take a look at any information I could find about dogs from that area of the country and what I found was an interesting and heart warming tale.
A dog by the name of Patsy Ann was born in Oregon in 1929, and came to Juneau, Alaska as a mere pup. No one particular owner claimed Patsy Ann, but she lived along the shores of the Gastineau Channel, spending most of her time on the docks and in the Longshoremen’s Hall. She frequented many of the businesses in Juneau and came to be known as the official greeter of Juneau, Alaska. She received this title because when she would sense the arrival of an incoming ship, she would run to the dock to welcome any and all arrivals. The most amazing thing about Patsy Ann and her ability to know of the arrival of the the incoming ships is that she was profoundly deaf and had been from birth. But some how, some way, she was able to know when the ships were coming in and she was never wrong!!!
She became as well known as Rin Tin Tin and her image was one that visitors sought out on any Alaskan publications. She lived until 1942 and the day after her death, many residents of Juneau came down to the docks, where Patsy Ann was happiest, and bid her a final farewell as her coffin was lowered into the Gastineau Channel.
In 1992, a statue of Patsy Ann was erected on the wharf where she loved to be. Patsy Ann still sits and greets the guests of Juneau today as a long time rememberance of the devotion she showed to the town she loved ships and the ships that came to visit.
To read more about Patsy Ann, click here.
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