giraffes? giraffes!

That's actually the title of a very funny spoof book now out of print, but it'll do for this post.  Do I need a pet giraffe?  I do not.  I doubt anybody does.  Then why do I find myself envious of the Carr-Hartley family of Nairobi, who have not one but eight (eight) endangered Rothschild's giraffes?  And they have a hotel where they live with and protect these rare creatures.  It's called, wait for it, Giraffe Manor.  The giraffes will eat breakfast with you, or perhaps they will care to schmooze on the terrace over your evening wine.   Check out the virtual tours on the Giraffe Manor site. . . I wanna go!

the icelandic cat: thoughts of 1905

I do not know whether Mr. Annandale's reflections on domestic Icelandic cats are borne out in fact, but one thing's for sure: it takes the police to break up their parties.

* * *
Neither cat nor dog (that is to say, wolf) is indigenous to the island, but the true Icelandic cat is peculiar. It is of a dark blue-grey, in which certain lights enable darker markings to be detected. The fur is very short and thick; the size is small, and the form is slight. Good specimens of the breed are now becoming scarce, as a great deal of intermixture has taken place with ships' cats and others imported into the islands. There are few cat-fanciers in Iceland, and the Icelandic cat will probably soon be extinct. I believe that it has become fashionable in France as a rarity; but, curiously enough—possibly as an indirect result of in-breeding—it is extremely delicate and rarely survives removal from Iceland for long. A specimen formerly in my possession could hardly be induced to take milk or cream when brought to Edinburgh, but fed almost entirely on fish. It was stolen almost immediately; so evidently it must have been considered to be of some value by experts in Scotland. . .
The Icelanders attribute the peculiar colour of their native cats to the fact that they prefer to breed out among volcanic rocks of a similar colour to themselves rather than in the houses, and that the kittens born under such conditions . . .are affected by maternal impressions.

* * *

From Nelson Annandale, The Faroes and Iceland: studies in island life (Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1905), pp. 166-7

dean russo: ragamuffin

image ©copyright Dean Russo Art and kindest permission of the artist

Today's treat is "Ragamuffin" by Brooklyn NY artist Dean Russo.  I ran into him on Twitter, and upon checking out his work this was one of the first images I saw.  I had to give you all a chance to see it.  Here's his artist's bio.

* * *
Art and animals. These two passions define Dean Russo, a Brooklyn, New York-based artist who uses vibrant Pop Art colors and bold abstract patterns to give a voice to his favorite subject, animals. Dean grew up in a home filled with art supplies, and from an early age began drawing cartoon characters, which became a great influence in his later work. After studying graphic design and fine arts at the School of Visual Arts and Pratt Institute, Dean began to paint primarily celebrity portraits, but his two cocker spaniels became his greatest inspiration. “They would sit at my feet every night while I painted, so one day I decided to paint them.”
Dean starts his paintings with the eyes, because, as every animal-lover knows, the eyes are the most expressive. Dean’s main subjects are dogs, with pit bulls representing the majority of his work. “Pit bulls are a misunderstood breed, and I’m just happy to be able to get the message about animal rescue out there.” Dean Russo Art Studio has a sincere dedication to animal rescue, and has participated in charity auctions, donations and fundraising to raise awareness and help out in the animal welfare community. Dean hopes to convey the care and devotion of animal-lovers of every kind, from dogs and cats to horses and beyond. He has a wildlife series in the works, as a way to support the countless animals on the verge of extinction. Through inspiring messages and bright prints, Dean Russo’s work is sure to brighten anyone’s day.
And, in case you were wondering, if Dean were a dog he’d be a German Shepherd. Big and bold, but known for being gentle and loyal.

* * * 

Be sure to visit his website, and look for the corgi, which was my other post choice.

general lee misses his kids and cats

Robert E. Lee was not only a central figure in American military history, but a tender father with a fondness for pets.  Here's an excerpt from a letter he wrote to his daughter Milly (Mildred Childe Lee) in 1857, while he was serving in Indianola, Texas.
* * *
. . . I want to see you so much. Cannot you and dear Mary Childe (Lee's oldest daughter-curator) pack yourselves in a carpet bag and come out to the Comanche country? I wish you would. I would get you such a fine cat you would never look at "Tomtita" again. Did I tell you "Jim Nooks," Mrs. Waite's cat, was dead? Died of apoplexy. I foretold his end. Coffee and cream for breakfast, pound cake for lunch, turtle and oysters for dinner, buttered toast for tea, and Mexican rats, taken raw, for his supper. Cat nature could not stand so much luxury. He grew enormously and ended in a spasm. His beauty could not save him. I saw in San Antonio a cat dressed up for company. He had two holes bored in each ear, and in each were two bows of pink and blue ribbon. His round face set in pink and blue looked like a full blooming ivy bush. He was snow-white, and wore the golden fetters of his inamorata around his neck, in the form of a collar. His tail and feet were tipped with black, and his eyes of green and stealthy pace, were truly cat-like! 

But I saw "cats as is cats" in Savannah. While the stage was changing mules, I stepped around to see Mr. and Mrs. Monod, a French couple, with whom I had passed a night when I landed in Texas in 1846, to join General Wool's army. Mr. Monod received me with all the shrugs and grimaces of his nation, and the entrance of Madame was foreshadowed by her stately cats, with visage grave and tails erect, who preceded, surrounded, and followed in her wake. Her present favorite Sodoiska, a large mottled gray, was a magnificent creature, and in her train she pointed out Aglai, her favorite eleven years ago when I first visited her. They are of French breed and education, and when the claret and water was poured out for my refreshment they jumped on the table for a sip too. . . 

-- Robert E. Lee, in Children's letters: a collection of letters written to children by famous men and women, Elizabeth Colson and Anna Gansevoort Chittenden, eds. (New York: Hinds, Noble & Eldredge, 1905), pp. 127-8

introducing raissa markewycz - and marv

image copyright and by kindest permission of  the artist

This is Marv, brand new and still on the easel (the easel's cropped out).  In real life he belongs to a friend of Raissa Markewycz, a Seattle artist whom, full disclosure, happens to be a co-worker and friend of mine.  I think this piece shows her love of texture and her insight into her subject's self.  Though I haven't met Marv yet, I can tell from his portrait that he's a soulful fellow who takes riding pickup-shotgun in great earnest, as if it were a dearly earned privilege.  I'll ask Raissa if he's a rescue or shelter dog, since I get the feeling he may be.
I really like the honesty, power and tenderness of this painting.  Maybe you're wanting a portrait like this?  You and your pet would love meeting Raissa.  Right now you can contact her via the Museum at thepetmuseum AT gmail.com - I'll update contact info soon.

how the dog made the jackal howl: an angolan folktale

From  a collection of folktales of Angola, in literal translation:  here's why the jackal howls. His relative the Dog left him for tasty people food!

* * *
DOG AND JACKAL.
Jackal used to be in the bush with his kinsman, Dog. Jackal then sends Dog, saying: "Go to the houses, to fetch some fire. When thou comest with it, we will burn the prairie of grass; so as to catch locusts and eat." Dog agreed.
He started; arrived in the village. He enters a house; finds a woman, who is feeding her child (with) mush. Dog sat down; fire, he will not take it. The woman has fed her child; she scrapes the pot. She takes mush; she gives it to Dog. Dog eats; thinks, saying: "Why, I am all the time just dying with hunger in the bush; in the village there is good eating." The Dog settled (there).
Jackal, behind where he stayed, looked for the other, who was sent for fire; he does not appear.
The Jackal, whenever he is howling, people say, "The Jackal is howling, tway!" But no; he is speaking, saying: "I am surprised, I, Jackal of Ngonga; Dog, whom I sent for fire, when he found mush, he was seduced; he stayed for good."

* * *

Heli Chatelain, Folktales of Angola (Published for the American Folk-Lore Society by Houghton Mifflin, 1894), p. 213.

vintage photo time: play with the dogs, already!

"Play?"

"Hey, I asked first!"

I love that worried wrinkle on the red dog's forehead...makes me want to give it a smooch and a scratch.

C'mon, buddy, it'll be okay.

dog food recipe, virginia 1909

I always call my vet office when I need pet food advice (actually I call them at the drop of a hat; they must be sick to death of me - hi, Dr. Smith).  I wonder what the staff there would say to the recipe for "dog bread" below, from a very old-fashioned Southern book of bird dog care.  Since I'd never seen any dog food recipe quite like this, I offer it as a curiosity. What do you think of it?

***
One of the best all around foods that we know of is made from a recipe appearing in the Amateur Trainer, one of the best books on training of the bird dog in the English language, and written by our friend, Ed. H. Haberlein, of McPherson, Kansas, and sold by him at $1.50 postpaid, a book that you all should have. His formula is as follows: —

"Secure scraps at your meat shop, or buy a chunk of cheapest beef; put this into a kettle with hot water and a pinch of salt, and boil until meat falls from the bones; fish out the latter, and with a fork stir meat into shreds, to remain in the broth. Now stir and work into this a mixture consisting half and half of corn meal and shorts (bran - curator) to a stiff dough; fill low pans and place into a slow oven till quite well baked through. When cooled cut pone into suitable pieces. The quantity of meat thus worked into meal and shorts may be in proportion of one to six.  At the slaughter house the head of a beef may be had for the asking, and such a one can be utilized for the above purpose with very good results. After boiling, the bones of the head become quite brittle, and these form a splendid part of the dog's diet. Dog bread made as above stated will keep for a long time, and it embodies nourishment of the very best quality; the dogs eat it with delight and remain in excellent condition".

***

from Clarence Archibald Bryce, M.D., The Gentleman's Dog, His Rearing, Training and Treatment (Richmond, VA:  Southern Clinic Print, 1909) pp. 20-21.