HE’S not as wee as people think he is, he’s definitely ginger, and he’s fast becoming the most famous “dug” in Scotland.
Now the Wee Ginger Dug, who barks his desire for Scottish independence in his National columns, has received a unique accolade – he is now pictured on an official 85 cents Canadian stamp. Expat Molly McCormick arranged the special tribute to WGD – as only his best friends can call him – after reading a comment by a fan on the blog of WGD’s owner and amanuensis, Paul Kavanagh.
The comment suggested that there should be a stamp with WGD’s front on it so that a certain politician – okay, it was Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson – would have to lick the rear of WGD.
All in good fun, but then Molly realised that such a tribute stamp was actually possible under Canada’s postal laws.
She explained: “I had laughed as I pictured it. A few days later I thought, ‘I can make this happen!’
“The photo that is part of Paul’s blog would have been great but when I copied it online it was a wee bit out of focus. I went into Google and there they were, half a dozen different photos – copied, pasted, saved.
“I then went into the Canada Post site to set it all in motion.
“A few days later I received an email from them saying that unless I could provide proof that I had Paul’s permission – they had checked the photos – I couldn’t have them made. I explained that I couldn’t get his permission as it would ‘spoil the surprise’ but if they could do it and send them directly to him, that would be fine.
“Back came a reply, they would complete the order and send them to me. I was tickled pink ... or ginger!
“There were three books of stamps in the order I had made up. I kept one here and will attach them to envelopes for sensible, like-minded folk. The other two I sent to Paul.
“They are legal stamps here in Canada. Their face value is the domestic postal rate.
“My daughter sent me a link to the WGD in 2014 and I have been a dedicated reader ever since. I pass it on to as many as I can.”
She added: “I am from Kirkintilloch originally. I now live in Calgary, Alberta and have done for 50 years. I have to look at my kids and grandchildren to see where the time has gone! From a daily view of the Campsie Fells, to one of the Rocky Mountain.”
Speaking on behalf of WGD and himself, Paul Kavanagh said: “I thought it was a very funny idea and I was quite touched and very flattered, too, that somebody thought enough of the Wee Ginger Dug to go to all that trouble.
“I now have two books of legal Canadian stamps. I only wish I could use them here, but next time I go to Canada, I’ll be sure to use them – I may even use one on a postcard to Ruth Davidson.”
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