When a community erects a statue to a dog, there’s always a good story behind it, and “Patsy Ann” was Juneau, Alaska’s good story.

Patsy Ann, a purebred white Bull Terrier born in 1929, was sent to Juneau by ship to become the companion to two little girls. Bull Terriers can be a challenge to inexperienced or “soft” owners to begin with, but if the dog is deaf as Patsy Ann was, it can be difficult for both the dog and owners unable to cope. Patsy Ann was given to another family, and sadly, that family, too, was unable to work with her. Before long, Patsy Ann was roaming the streets, living on handouts, and sleeping where she could, often with sailors.

Most homes, shops and establishments welcomed Patsy Ann, but her celebrity took off when dock workers noticed her special talent: Despite being deaf, Patsy Ann had an uncanny ability to know not only when a ship was due to dock, but in which dock it would berth. She would stroll to the dock and begin pacing, and sure enough, a ship would come into view. She was never wrong, and some people speculated that she sensed the vibrations of the ships’ motors.

Soon, Patsy Ann was named the town’s official greeter by the mayor. When Juneau passed a law requiring dogs to be registered and tagged, townspeople collected funds to buy her a tag and collar. Patsy Ann was unimpressed and got rid of it as soon as she was able to. Wisely, Patsy Ann was given an official exemption to the law.

Patsy Ann was celebrated on t-shirts, post cards, and in time, a book about her life. The old girl died in 1942 and buried at sea. Half a century later, her life was celebrated with a statue sculpted by Anna Burke Harris honoring her memory.  A short video about Pasty Ann is below:

Thumbnail image of Patsy Ann’s sculpture found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information