Queen Victoria Building, wishing well (Theme Day: Laugh)

The Legend of Islay is a monument outside the Queen Victoria Building, on the corner of George Street and Druitt Street. The 60 centimetre bronze statue of a Queen Victoria's favourite pet, a Cairn terrier named Islay, propped up on a sandstone wishing well was erected in 1987. It stands near a sculpture of Queen Victoria herself and a stone from the Blarney Castle is embedded in the brickwork. When you approach the dog talks: “Hello, my name is Islay. I was once the companion and friend of the great Queen Victoria. Because of the many good deeds I have done for deaf and blind children I have been given the power of speech. If you cast a coin into the wishing well now, I will say thank you." If you throw a coin in the wishing well, he says, "Thank you, woof, woof."

Linked to: Theme Day, Our World Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, Pictorial Tuesday, Travel Tuesday.