Carnarvon icon Wags remembered

Carnarvon legend Wags the dog passed away last week, at the age of 14.

Border collie Wags, the beloved pet of long-time Carnarvon courier drivers Bob Clements and Beryl Perry, became a local celebrity through the many friendships he and lifelong friend Macca the macaw formed while accompanying Mr Clements on his delivery runs.

Wags paid daily visits to places like the post office and the town’s banks, and was a staple at the Carnarvon Airport arrivals lounge, where he would entice travellers into playing with him, and once succeeded in boarding a plane.

Wags, along with Macca, holds the distinction of being the only animals the Northern Guardian knows of to hold Australian airport security passes, after warming the heart of the state head of aviation security.

Wags was also very visible in the community, bringing joy to both patients in palliative care and local children with his array of tricks and skills — notably, his unmatched athleticism with a soccer ball.

Mr Clements said that, in parallel with his many friendships around town, which included a very close bond with many Carnarvon Aboriginal children, Wags was well-known to tourists, who would often ask to see him after having heard stories during their travels.

It wouldn’t have been too hard to find him — at one stage, Wags had his own lookout tower from which he would survey the street, much to the delight and bamboozlement of passers-by.

Towards the end of his long and loved life, Wags lost his eyesight.

Macca helped by giving commands to navigate by, like “Back Wags”, “Stop Wags”, and “Here boy.”

Wags will be fondly remembered, and missed by the Carnarvon community, and by family and friends further afield.