Wallace the Fire Dog.
It is said that Wallace followed a fire engine back to the fire station after a lifeboat procession in 1894, and was soon adopted by the men and made the fire service's mascot. He became a firm favourite with the firemen, and ran along in front of the engines when they sped to attend fires. The legend that Wallace instinctively knew the location of a fire and led the way was quashed, when onlookers noticed that the driver of the leading vehicle would signal ahead to the dog which way to turn. Even so, Wallace was seen to embody the fire service motto, "Aye Ready".
When Wallace died in 1902 he was stuffed and placed in the reception room of the Central Fire Station in Ingram Street. He is photographed here beside the special pair of rubber boots which a visitor made for him when she noticed that he had sore paws from his heroic efforts.Reference: 460.77.262
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Museums
Keywords:
Central Fire Service, Central Fire Station, dogs, Glasgow Fire Brigade, Glasgow Fire Service, mascots, rubber boots, taxidermy, Wallace the Fire Dog
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