Patricia Stroud - Caesar

, a car wound up a long drive outside a seaside house. There was a great bustle as three young brothersJames, Brendon and Michaelall tried to be first out of the car. They couldnt wait to greet Nanna, their great-grandmother, who was waiting for them on her deck.

When they had all had their hugs, Nanna offered them morning tea, with fresh pikelets, made especially for them. As usual, there was plenty to go around, plus Nannas home-made lemonade.

When they had chatted about their news and eaten all the pikelets, Michael said, Whats that funny sound coming from the laundry?

Nanna smiled. As you all have your birthdays in January, I decided Id give you one special present to share, and it sounds as if it doesnt want to wait any longer. Youd better come and see.

Nanna led the boys into the laundry, where they saw a big box sitting in the corner. Here he is! Happy birthday, boys.

Its a pup!

Hey, our own dog!

Wow, hes so fat!

The boys bent over to look at the little pup, who waddled his way to the side of the box and tried to climb out. He made a small whining noise and James reached in and gently picked him up. Ooh, hes so soft, he said.

Youll have to think of a name for him, said Mum. Lets go and sit on the deckthe little fellow might like to run on the grass while Nanna and I have another cup of tea.

After lunch, the boys all had a swim, then sat drying themselves in the sun with the pup crawling over their knees and playing with their toes.

Did you have a dog when you were young, Nanna? asked Brendon.

Yes, we had quite a few dogs over the years, but I suppose the bravest dog I ever knew was a dog named Caesar.

The boys laughed.

I know it sounds funny, but it was a grand name for a brave dog. It means emperor. During the First World War, that was the name of the King of Englands dog. King George V, the Queens grandfather, had a terrier called Caesar, so it became a very popular name for dogs. When the old King died, his little terrier was in the official funeral procession. He walked behind the gun carriage carrying the kings body, all the way from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. But the Caesar Im talking about was a New Zealand dog. Sometimes people would spell it incorrectly, but he became a very famous dog too.

How did he become famous?

When I knew Caesar it was in wartimeit was during the First World War, which is sometimes called the Great War, when New Zealand and the other countries of the British Empire fought with Britain against Germany and its allies.

One day when I was nearly four years old, my mother told me to put on my best dress, have my hair brushed and get ready for a grand adventure. Her brother, my uncle Tom Tooman, was taking me somewhere special.

Ill bet he was going to get a dog, interrupted Michael.

Be quiet, said James. Let her tell the story.

Ill bet he was though.

Now boys, do you want to hear the story or not?

Yes please. Sorry, Nanna.

So as the boys listened, Nanna told them this story.

I was very excited and hurried to get ready. I put on my best dress, my favourite one, blue with lots of lace. Mum brushed my hair and put a big satin bow in it, and I was allowed to wear my best shoes and socks. It was so exciting; I couldnt imagine what the surprise might be.

When Toms van came rumbling up the drive I ran out to meet him. He picked me up and swung me around and around. Hows my Little Ida today? he said and gave me a big kiss and a cuddle. Mum laughed and said we made a very handsome pair, me in my best dress and Tom in his uniform.

Remember I said it was a time of war? Well, Tom was in the army and would soon be going away to Egypt, as part of what we now know as the ANZACs, the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.

Come on, young lady, Tom said, and I ran out to the van. I could only climb up as far as the running board, along the side, and Tom had to help me to climb into the seat. I loved being in the van; it was black and shiny with leather seats and smelt wonderful. I also liked the shiny brass knobs on the steering wheel. It was a Model T and I thought it was the most beautiful van in the world.

Soon we were off, chugging down the road past my Grans house and on towards all the big houses on the hill, where we turned into a long driveway.

As we pulled up outside the house, the front door opened and a man came out, leading a funny-looking dog. Tom lifted me down and walked over and saluted the man. The man spoke to Tom, then looked at me and laughed. I dont think the child knows what kind of dog it is.

I think youre right, sir, shes used to foxies and spaniels, said Tom, and both men laughed.

I had never seen such a dog before. He had a very large squashed-looking face, floppy ears, a big body and a thin tail that hung down. He looked very strong. Tom told me later that Caesar was a bulldog, and his ancestors had been bred to chase wild bulls, so they had to be strong as well as very brave.

I asked the man what the dogs name was.

His name is Caesar. Its a very grand name and hes a very grand dog.

Little Ida, with her special ribbon in her hair, all dressed up ready to go out with Uncle Tom for a big surprise.
Stroud Family Collection

Please may I pat him?

Im sure he would be delighted if you did.

I patted Caesar. He was so happy, he made snuffly noises and nearly wagged his bottom offhe did look funny and we didnt take long to decide we liked each other very much. The man handed me the lead and said I could take him for a walk around the lawn, while he talked to Uncle Tom.

Caesar kept looking up at me and sort of smiling. I know that sounds funny, but people who love dogs know they smile when theyre happy. Then Tom put us both in the van and Caesar settled down and put his head in my lap. Of course I had to pat his head and scratch his ears, but by then I think he thought I was going to be his personal scratcher. Tom shook hands with the man, saluted him once more and then we were off down the road to my Grans house.

Gran took an instant liking to Caesar, and spoiled him just like she spoiled me. Tom said, If you keep feeding him like that hell burst!

My mother told me Tom was minding Caesar for the army. Both Tom and Caesar were in A Company of the 4th Battalion Headquarters New Zealand Rifle Brigade, and Caesar was going to be their mascot.

From then on Caesar went everywhere with Tom and his friend Albert. Albert was a gardener, and when he came to live in Auckland, he boarded at my Grans house. He and Tom became great friends, and when the war started, theyd joined the army together.

As the official mascot, Caesar went back to the army camp at Rangiotu, where the men were living. He had to meet all the important people, like the colonel and his officers, and all the other soldiers.

Since 1909 all New Zealand men who were over 18 had had to do part-time compulsory military training. This meant that when the war broke out in 1914, most young men already had some military training and belonged to one of the four Territorial Regiments, which were known as The Terries. These were the Territorial Regiments of Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago, which together made up the New Zealand Territorial Army. Once war had been declared, the Territorial soldiers joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Many said they were joining to fight for patriotic reasons, to fight for King and country, but really, most joined because it was a chance for adventure, overseas travelwhich was very rare for the average person thenand because it was seen as a brave and exciting thing to do.