Of all of the adventurers who came to San Diego looking for a home in the 1880's, none were more popular and loved than Bum.
Bum, a St. Bernard and Spaniel mixed breed dog, arrived in San Diego in 1886 as a stowaway aboard a steam ship from San Francisco. Bum took a look around San Diego and decided that this was the town for him.
Bum was a very friendly dog, and was quickly adopted by the local townspeople. He frequented the various restaurants, and received hearty meals from the owners who took a liking to the big dog. Bum became very popular, traveling from place to place by hitching rides on the streetcars that linked Old Town to the Bay. He was so popular; he was allowed to ride on the fire engines and even was allowed to participate in the local parades!
One day, another dog tried to take over Bum's territory, and there was a fight. Unfortunately, the dogs wrestled on the train tracks as a train approached. The train hit both dogs. The dog Bum was fighting was killed, and Bum received serious injuries. He lost his right front forepaw and part of his tail. Bum learned his lesson, and stayed away from the tracks after than. Soon after this incident, Bum saw a puppy on the railroad tracks, scooped him up gently in his powerful jaws, and carried him safely away from the danger. Bum's injuries didn't stop him for long, however, and soon he was making the rounds of the local restaurants, begging for his favorite meals.
Sadly, food was not the only thing Bum was given. The saloon customers thought it was funny to give Bum sips of their drinks, and Bum was soon addicted to alcohol. A local businessman, Ah Wo Sue was not amused by this, and took the dog away from the saloons. He made sure no one gave Bum alcohol, and Bum recovered from his addiction.
The local dogcatcher did not know of Bum's popularity, and when he tried to catch Bum, the townspeople intervened. Bum was saved from the dogcatcher's net, and because he was so loved, his picture was put on the very first dog license created by the City of San Diego. From that point on, all dogs in San Diego had to have a license. All except Bum, that is, who will be forever known as San Diego's "Official" Town Dog!
