Muggins, a war hero

Muggins was a small dog with a fluffy tail. He was born in 1913 in Victoria.

Muggins became a hero during the First World War.

He learned to walk through the streets by himself. He had two donation boxes on his back and collected money for charities like the Canadian Red Cross that fed hungry children.

The money he raised would be worth about $250,000 today.

Muggins also visited injured soldiers in hospitals and greeted passengers on ferries and ships. He even met the Prince of Wales.

People often asked, “Where is Muggins?”

He died in 1920.

A book about Muggins was published in 2021. The book helps raise money for the Canadian Red Cross, just like Muggins did.

Adapted from Canadian Red Cross • Photo: Saanich Archives/Beatrice Woodward

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