#riseofpets

[caninesofthewest-blog]

“A girl with her dog,” 1898-1925.

In this lantern slide, a happy young girl poses in a garden with her pet English Setter seated on a chair in front of her. Lantern slides were created in 1848 to hold photographs, prints and hand painted images for entertainment, viewed from an optical device known as a magic lantern. The girl in the image appears to be from a middle to upper class urban family given the quality and style of outfit she is wearing and the well-crafted leather collar the dog is wearing. Her hat is covered with fresh flowers giving the impression she was dressed for a special occasion, perhaps a holiday or birthday?

This item resides at the University of Oregon Libraries.

[caninesofthewest-blog]

“Sailor Jack, ship and dogs,” 1875.

In this early stereograph, a man named Sailor Jack is shown sitting on the front porch of fellow sailor Ben Holladay’s home near Lake Tahoe in California, with three dogs sitting and laying down at this feet. Next to him on the porch is a large naval reconstruction of a ship sending the impression this is a naval community. Although Sailor Jacks attire does resemble a traditional naval uniform, it is not a United States Navy uniform meaning he was likely a private sailor transporting goods and even possibly people. The dogs he is in the company of are mixed breeds that were likely his sailing companions as transporting goods long distances would be very lonely.

This item resides at the New York Public Library.

[caninesofthewest-blog]

“Woman sitting on porch steps with cats and dogs,” 1905-1915.

Photographed above is Anna Bracken sitting with an unidentified young woman surrounded by two English fox hounds and five cats on the front porch of her stone home on a ranch in the Las Vegas area. She married Walter Bracken who was a well-known Las Vegas business man responsible for much of the town’s early development. The couple lived at this residence for 37 years before moving in 1942. The dogs appear to be relaxing and not subjected to a rigorous lifestyle; though I’m sure they accompanied Mr. Bracken on a hunting trip or two!

This item resides at the Mountain West Digital Library.

[caninesofthewest-blog]

The rise of pets

Towards the ends of the 19th century the presence of dogs and other animal’s in family households as pets grew in the interest of teaching children kindness and humanity towards animals. The transition occurred due to increased awareness, through literature such as Black Beauty (1877) and Beautiful Joe (1893), of the hardship and cruelty animals endured during their service in human society. In addition, industrialization and the mechanization of agriculture contributed by taking the place of many working animals.