It started with a reader asking the whereabouts of an ornate, old-school letterbox which had once graced the entry to the Canberra Hospital, then on the Acton Peninsula.

Seems it was quite the peeing post for passing dogs which made removing mail less than pleasant, so it had been moved to the hospital's childcare centre "as an educational item".

David's mum, Helen Adams, was a supervisor in the typing pool at the hospital and her little boy attended the childcare centre.

The adorable moppet was asked to be in the photo, and it's now part of their family history.

"We knew it was going to be on the front page and we were quite delighted," Mrs Adams said.

"It made the rounds of the family so to speak."

David is now 42 and living in Banks with his wife Yvette and their 14-year-old daughter Tasmyn. He has no memory of the photo at the time, but it has been brought out now and then to remind him.

"I'm still as cute today," he said with a laugh.

The hospital is long gone and no one seems to now know the whereabouts of the letterbox, including Australia Post.

"I don't think I'd fit in it today," David said.