I always remember a pop song of the early 60s. I would have been about six years old but the song was called My Dad by Paul Peterson and 45 years later I can still recite some of the lyrics (I promise not to sing!).

My dad, now there is a man
To me he is everything strong
No, he can't do wrong, my dad

Okay they are pretty schmaltzy lyrics but the song struck a chord with a little South Canterbury boy whose dad was a grocer at the time. There is something about songs from that era that you can still remember the words to many decades later.

With Father’s Day here and now it’s good to look behind the cards, presents and breakfasts in bed and the commercial aspect of the day for Dads and remind ourselves how important fathering is, and it’s also prompted me to reflect on my dear Dad and what it is about him that is still with me today, and is part of who I am.

My Dad is David Clayton Leishman, an extremely genial and chatty Father who is known to the world as Dave. He’s an only child whose own father died when he was just 9 years old, so he in fact didn’t have anyone to guide him on being a great father. After his father died young Dave was sent off to boarding school, while his mother continued to run the Burkes Pass Hotel in the middle of the South Island’s rugged Mackenzie Country.

Dave is 87 now and like many dads up and down New Zealand he is immensely proud of his children. But it goes both ways as we very proud of him too, primarily because he is such a fine example of what a great Father can be. He has lead by example.

The '50s and '60s were different times for Dads. Dave marvels at the involvement of today’s fathers in their children’s lives. There were no ante natal classes and none of the integral participation in childbirth expected of today’s fathers.

When my oldest brother was born, he wasn’t allowed to be there. He had to ring the hospital to try and talk to my mother, but was told not to disturb her. Meanwhile she was pleading with the Matron to phone home but was told “sorry your husband is busy”.  Eventually they told phoned him to say he had a son.

How times have changed, thankfully.  Happy Father’s Day Dads.

Watch the amazingly calm and calculated way this woman deposits Lola the pussy cat. Apparently Lola was a rescue cat who was wary of people...and just coming right when she came face to face with someone who didn't care...Don't be fooled by the fact this woman looks like your favourite Granny as she strokes Lola and then calmly re-cycles her. The story had a happy ending for Lola the cat who was found 15 hours later. Lucky for her it wasn't collection day! Now the hunt is on to find the cat burglar! Watch the video below...