A Dog Called Bum

A Dog Called Bum is the amazing and amusing story of San Diego’s first and only Town Dog, Bum. He arrived in San Diego in the 1880s by ship as a stowaway and quickly stole the hearts of the town’s citizens. His escapades appeared almost daily in the papers, and he was so beloved by the children of San Diego they donated pennies for a ‘proper burial’ for Bum. Written by the “Puppet Lady” of San Diego, Marie Hitchcock, the book started as a puppet show she created. Several years later Marie turned the story into a book for children of all ages. The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation is proud to share this story with a new generation of children and history aficionados. Marie Hitchcock was passionate about San Diego history and was instrumental in the creation of a statue to honor Bum the Town Dog. The GQHF invites everyone to visit the statue of Bum, and his Scottish friend Greyfriars Bobby, in the Pocket Park at 410 Island Avenue, San Diego. Bring a QR scanner, and the dogs will even talk to you!