Book Launch: Muggins • Grant Hayter-Menzies
Join Heritage House Publishing and Tanner's Books for the launch of Muggins: The Life and Afterlife of a Canadian Canine War Hero by Grant Hayter-Menzies, hosted by bookseller and Sidney mayor, Cliff McNeil-Smith.
Born in 1913 in the home of a millionaire philanthropist, Muggins was a purebred Spitz, a sharp-eared, sharp-nosed, fluffy-tailed sort of dog most often seen in the lap of a lady of leisure. But Muggins defied the odds, rising to unlikely fame during the First World War, when he became Victoria, BC’s most diminutive fundraiser.
Muggins was taught to wander through downtown during the war with two change donation boxes tied to his back, and ultimately collected funds for charities and causes including the Red Cross, the Blue Cross, food for poor children and prisoners of war, victims of Jewish pogroms, to name a few.
During his short life, Muggins visited ferries and freight liners stopping in Victoria. He appeared in photos with the Prince of Wales and with famous Canadian general Sir Arthur Currie, among other celebrated admirers. Muggins draws upon valuable documents, memorabilia, newspaper and newsreel accounts of the dog's brief but brilliant career.
Author Grant Hayter-Menzies tackles the difficult question of human use of animals in war, at home and on the battlefield. Grant Hayter-Menzies is a biographer and historian specializing in the lives of extraordinary and unsung heroes of the past, notably the role of animals in times of war.
BUY THE BOOK
- Signed copies of Muggins are available for purchase from Tanner's Books.
- Purchase online, via phone, or in-person at the Sidney store.
- Make sure to indicate if you have any signing/personalization requests.
FREE VIRTUAL EVENT
- Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021
- Time: 7–8 p.m. PDT
- Find your timezone
Attendees must register to receive a link to the virtual event. It will be livestreamed to YouTube and you will be sent an exclusive link to watch the event.
