Jilly says Dale ''was a great indicator of how Dunedin people care for and co exist with our incredible wildlife''.
''I don't know many other cities where he would be left to snooze off his dinner in the middle of the road and the police put two cones up and all the traffic carefully drive around him.''
She says Dale needs a fitting memorial at the Bayfield inlet.
The Dunedin Tar Seal
In search of a meal
Dale the seal
slid into Anderson’s Bay
Dale found that relaxing
was not at all taxing
and entertained tourists all day
Waving, sunbathing
and octopus tasting
left the fur seal really quite tired
A warm sunny spot
that was lovely and hot
was all that Dale required
Portobello Road
was his choice of abode
he reclined across one lane of traffic
Dale was not aware
of his safety or welfare
or that the outcome could really be tragic
Nobody minded
Dale’s misguided
Choices of places to doze
The drivers swerved round
the seal on the ground
and left him in gentle repose
Time to move on
Said DOC, whereupon
Dale took up freedom camping
He remained unrestrained
Was not self contained
Unaware of the damage he was causing
Not the least bit dismayed
by the mess he had made
Dale proceeded to nod off
In contrast, the aggrieved
garden owners were peeved
And really quite keen that he Stuff Off (or sod off)
Dale hung round for a bit
His heart no longer in it
Eventually leaving for pastures anew
He decided to glide
down the St Leonards side
bidding Anderson’s Bay ‘Adieu’
Sadly Dale died
As he lay on his side
Sunning himself on the tracks
He wasn’t to know
That you must never go
near a railway line. That’s a fact
So cheers to you, lad
We’re all very glad
That you chose our asphalt to snooze on
I hope you are blessed
With eternal rest
It won’t be the same now that you’ve gone
(and Portobello Road will have less queues on)
(and you might get a bench with your name on).
For people to sit on
