From stray to star: How a Windsor street dog earned a spot on a wall of fame
The Windsor/Essex County Humane Society is preparing to celebrate a century of compassion, and one of its most beloved residents, Pickles the dog, will take centre stage.
The organization plans to honour the street dog, who became a local celebrity in the 1970s, on a new wall of fame as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
Executive Director Lynette Bain said the wall will recognize the animals that have defined each era of the local society’s history.
“The portrait was just a way to pay homage to an animal that really left her paw prints on the hearts of so many here,” said Bain.
“She’s going to be taking a really important place in our Wall of Fame that we’re building in celebration of our 100 years.”
WATCH | Pickles the dog once roamed the streets of downtown Windsor:[embedded content]
Pickles was first known to Windsorites after roaming the streets of the city’s downtown for two years in the late 1970s.
According to former CBC reporter Percy Hatfield, her owner was arrested and she wandered the streets of downtown looking for him — while locals fed her.
She eventually became the subject of children’s books, newspaper stories, and even a puppet show. That includes Pickles, the Street Dog of Windsor, and Pickles and the Dog Nappers by Sean O’Huigin and illustrated by Phil McLeod.
When Pickles was finally captured, she was taken in by the local humane society, where she lived out her days as the organization’s mascot until she died in 1985.
Bain said Pickles represents the spirit of care that has guided the humane society since it began nearly a century ago. Origins, she said, that started with Windsor’s police force.
“The first humane officer was actually a police officer,” Bain said. “It then evolved into a branch of the SPCA in the 1930s and then became its own standalone organization in 1949.”
Windsor Morning7:37Who remembers “Pickles” the street dog of Windsor?
Windsor Morning host Amy Dodge spoke to the CBC’s Mike Evans about the story of “Pickles” the street dog of Windsor who roamed the streets of the downtown core, for over 2 years back in the 1970’s.
As part of the anniversary, the local humane society is working with the Windsor Public Library to dig into its archives and uncover more milestone moments. Students and volunteers are helping compile photos, documents and stories for a full timeline display.
The celebrations will run throughout 2026, highlighted by a centennial gala on April 18 at the Caboto Club. The event, themed The Great Catsby, will celebrate the organization’s 1920s origins and its continued mission to protect animals today.
“Every generation of staff has had a special animal that’s been the ambassador or the mascot of the organization,” Bain said.
“Pickles will find her forever home on our wall, because the time she spent here really left a mark on a lot of people.”