Two men reading

An account for de-paw-sits and withdrawals

In preparation for International Dog Day, my favourite paw-liday of the year, I went digging through our Staff Magazines to find another example of our humans’ longstanding relationships with us, their canine companions. While digging, I caught the scent of a unique banking account for de-paw-sits and withdrawals.

Photograph of Silver presenting a very special cheque for the Easter Seals Campaign to “Timmy” Michel Lapointe and Steve Bloomer of the TV show “Steve’s Corner”, Staff Magazine, June 1965.

In 1965, our Longueuil branch in Quebec opened a special account for a very special customer – the canine companion of Bank of Montreal customer Bill Short. Silver, the Wonder Dog, was an honorary member of not only six Boy Scout Troops and one Cub Pack, but also the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a member in good standing of the Civil Defence of Canada organization, not to mention a very handsome TV celebrity.

According to Mr. Short: “The Bank of Montreal has been a good friend of mine for a long time, so it was but natural that Silver should become a friend and customer, too.”

Silver did, in fact, become a customer and a special account under account name “Silver” was opened. He was expected to sign his own cheques and did so via a paw print, co-signed by Mr. Short.

As the bank’s Barkivist, what I want to know is how come I don’t have my own bank account? I’ll be taking this up with my human! As a 5-year-old Boston Terrier (35-years-old in dog years), I think it’s abow-wowt time to open a K9 account of my very own.