The Story of Just Nuisance
The story of Just Nuisance is inextricably tied to Simon’s Town and the Navy. His birthdate is recorded as 1 April 1937 in Rondebosch. He was bought by Benjamin Chaney, who moved to Simon’s Town to run the United Services Institute. Just Nuisance was popular at the institute. He was given treats and taken for walks. As a result, he would often follow sailors back to the naval base. He regarded all sailors as his friends. Other uniformed men were passed up.
Just Nuisance roamed freely following his friends around, even catching the train with them, often as far as Cape Town City. Being a large dog (almost 2 metres when standing on his hind legs) it was hard for the sailors to conceal him from the ticket inspectors. When discovered he would often just disembark and wait for the next train.
The ticket inspectors were often not amused in spite of passengers offering to pay his fare. Officials of the South African Railways warned Chaney that they would have to confiscate and put Nuisance down if the train rides continued. Even the purchase of a season ticket did not sort the problem out. Another solution was found. It was decided that Nuisance be enlisted in the armed forces and as such entitled to free travel.
Just Nuisance was enlisted on 25 August 1939. His surname: “Nuisance” forename “Just”. Trade: “Bone crusher” Religion: “Scrounger”. This was later altered to” Canine Divinity League (Anti-Vivisection) in this way he was allowed to receive rations and with his albeit unofficial service he was promoted from “Ordinary seaman to “Able-bodied Seaman” despite never going to sea.
His roles included morale-boosting for the sailors, accompanying them back to base when the pubs closed and he performed several promotional functions.
He was “married” to another Great Dane Adina, and the union produced a litter of pups which were auctioned off to raise funds for the war effort.
Nuisance did not have an exemplary record and transgressions were recorded as being AWOL (absent without leave) losing his collar, fighting other mascots which resulted in the death of at least two of them, and sleeping in an improper place. The sentence was to have all bones removed for a week.
Nuisance was sadly at some stage involved in a car accident which left him with a thrombosis which caused a gradual paralysis. He was discharged from the Navy on the 1st of January 1944. It was decided on the advice from the naval veterinary surgeon it would be kinder to euthanize him.
He was draped with the Royal Naval White Ensign and he was buried with full naval honours including a gun salute and the playing of the last post” His grave can be seen on top of the hill at Klawer, at the former SA Navy Signal School. It’s an easy to moderate but short, steep climb up this hill to the grave of Cape Town’s most beloved historic canine, Just Nuisance.
