greek and roman household pets

Today I'm going to send you to a fantastic article I've found, dating from 1949: "Greek and Roman Household Pets," by Francis D. Lazenby.  There you'll find a treasure trove including:

- Supposedly Ajax had a pet snake that followed him like a dog
- Quails were a favorite pet of patrician boys
- The ancestor of our domestic cats may well be the cream-colored Nubian cat
- Cats and weasels are most often interchangeable in ancient sources (that is, you can't really tell what animal exactly they're talking about)

Don't be put off by the footnotes and quotations - there's so much here!  Read it now.

would you like to read a book that belonged to henry viii?

Thanks to the University of Aberdeen, now you can.
The Aberdeen Bestiary was created in England around 1200.  At one time it was housed in the Old Royal Library at Westminster Palace, a collection gathered by King Henry VIII (after nicking most of the books out of the monasteries then being dissolved).  The University of Aberdeen in Scotland has cared for the bestiary for over 400 years, and has now uploaded a high-definition digital version that you can page through online.
Many curious and beautiful images await the animal enthusiast in this manuscript.  There are cats doing their thing, including grooming, on a page that includes a sleek brown weasel.  There are several pages on dogs; on this one the translated text reads in part, "Often, also, when a murder has been committed, dogs have produced clear evidence of the guilt of the accused, with the result that their unspoken testimony is for the most part believed."  You may also marvel at this leopard.  Better yet, go to the index and find yourself a favorite.

nursery rhymes from china

british library flickr (PD)

1900:  Isaac Taylor Headland, an American missionary and academic living and working in Beijing, takes some time from his post as a science professor to translate some traditional Chinese nursery rhymes.  Here's a few.
*
If you steal a needle
Or steal a thread,
A pimple will grow
Upon your head;
If you steal a dog
Or steal a cat,
A pimple will grow
Beneath your hat.
*
We keep a dog to watch the house,
A pig is useful, too;
We keep a cat to catch a mouse,
But what can we do
With a girl like you?

*

The thieving old magpie
has taken our food,
The chicken eats millet as if it
were good,
The faithful old watch-dog looks
after the house,
And the cat has come over to
catch us a mouse.

*

Yellow dog, yellow dog,

You stay and watch,

While I gather roses 

In the south rose-patch.

- from Headland, I. Taylor. (1900). Chinese Mother Goose rhymes. New York: Fleming H. Revell company. Passim.
 

friday fun, courtesy of 1903

A Raging, Roaring Lion, of a Lamb-devouring kind, 

Reformed and led a sweet, submissive life.

For with face all steeped in smiles

He propelled a Lamb for miles,

And he wed a woolly Spinster for a wife.

You need to see the excellent illustration for that - and you can, on page 11 of Joseph Greene Francis's  A book of cheerful cats and other animated animals (New York: The Century Co., 1903).
Here's the link to it at Internet Archive, where you may page through it there or download it for your superlatively goofy pleasure.  Plenty of innocent silliness and critters caught in non-sequiturs!

"tis good to watch"

thanks archive.org; not in copyright (PD)

This is a page of illustrated mottos, found in a book published in 1735 by Richard Ware.  Here's the whole title (take a  deep breath):
Emblems, for the entertainment and improvement of youth: containing hieroglyphical and enigmatical devices, relating to all parts and stations of life: together with explanations and proverbs in French, Spanish, Italian, and Latin, alluding to them and translated into English : the whole curiously engrav'd on 62 copper plates
Do you have a saying that keeps you going through the tough times?  Perhaps you would find it in this book and have a convenient emblem to keep in your sight for the encouragement thereof.  Here's a couple that struck my fancy from the page above:

13, a rabbit on the edge of its burrow: 'Tis good to watch.

7.  A hog among flowers: They do not suit well.

Anything here that speaks to you?

a friday miscellany

If it's Friday, that means it's time for the ever-amazing Link Dump over at Strange Company.  There's always a few choice and curious links about pets in history there, and this week's no exception.  Be sure to look for Toby the million-dollar poodle; the unfortunate mad dogs of London; and a 19th-c consideration of animal welfare.  (Last week's link dump included the Rabbit of Doom, Buzzer the Cat, and an ancient dog pound.)  If you're a fan of the little dark curiosities of times past, you'll have fun over at StrangeCo.

more curious critter wills

I was fascinated by my recent finds of things bequeathed to pets, so I thought I'd keep looking...
 * * *
Goldfish and Flowers
A certain lady left seventy pounds a year for the maintenance of three goldfish, which were to be identified as follows: "one is bigger than the other two, and these latter are to be easily recognized, as one is fat and the other lean." She also made provision for flowers to be placed upon the graves of the gold fish.

Polly wants a Contest
In July last, at Washington, D.C., a will contest was commenced, which involves the life or death of a parrot. It appears Mrs. Ottilie Stock left a will, by the terms of which her parrot was doomed to Oslerization* by the process of chloroform.
Her daughter, Elizabeth Stock, questioned the validity of the will. It seems that Elizabeth was left one dollar in money, two kitchen chairs, two pails and one broom; hence, the will contest. Mrs. Stock, the testatrix, was the mother of one of the men who went to his death on the ill-fated battleship Maine, in the harbor
of Havana.
What behavior induced the death sentence on Polly, is not known.

A Lover of the Canine Race
In the Gazetta del Popolo of Turin, of September 2,1874, is found the following:
"Last week was opened by Zanini, the notary public, the will of a certain L. C, who, after having made a considerable fortune by means of the journal, the Caroccio, disposed of it in the following manner:
" 'I leave to the municipality of Casale an annuity of 1500 lire from the public debt, to be employed in rescuing all the dogs that shall fall into the hands of the civic dog-seizer (accalappiatore).
" 'I leave to my dog Schmid a rent from the public funds of 500 lire annually, to revert after his death to the foundlings of the city.' "

Lucky Dogs
Many valuable bequests have been made to dogs, and other domestic pets. Dr. Christiano, of Venice, left sixty thousand florins for the maintenance of his three dogs, with a condition that, at their death, the sum should be added to the funds of the University of Vienna.

*Oslerization - euthanasia, after Sir William Osler.  Selections from Harris, V. M. 1862-1923 or 4. (1911). Ancient, curious and famous wills. Boston: Little, Brown. 91-99 passim.

llama

art.thewalters.org gift of john bourne 2009 creative commons

So, so tempting to write "Llook at this llovely llama."  Oh well, I did.  This funny boy is a ceramic effigy from the Chancay culture of Peru, and he dates from 1000-1400 AD.  Ceramics were widely and plentifully made in this culture, and the black on white color scheme and tubby presence is also typical of the style.  Llamas are vital creatures in Peruvian life, and the creator of this beast clearly knew at least one - one very curious one by the look of it.

vicki sawyer's beautiful creatures

image copyright and by kindest courtesy of vicki sawyer

Artist Vicki Sawyer's portraits bring us proud creatures bedecked in the treasures of nature.  She found this theme in her early years among a family appreciative of the woods, of birds, of small simple glories.  She has created art all her life, and now turns her gift to a world where animals wear flowers and twigs as jewels and crowns.  Here's her "Jackalope Wannabe" doing just that.  (Are you on Pinterest? You can see so many there.)

home and away, and guess which one wins

thanks reusableart.com (PD)

I couldn't use this poem in my upcoming eBook - it didn't quite fit anywhere - but it's far too winsome and funny not to share.  The speaker is in either Australia or Tasmania, and not being a good sport.  

As the year draws to a close, I thought this was a great piece to reflect on where you are and where you'd like to be.  Make what friends you can with the first, and make plans for the second!  

Thou and I.

(From Stony Creek.)

THOU art in happy England,
With peace, content, and joy;
And there no poisonous reptiles
Thy comfort can destroy;
No hissing sound the startled ear
With fear of death awakes  -
Thou art in happy England,
I, in the land of snakes.

About thy household duties
Serenely thou canst go;
No fear of fierce tarantulas
Or scorpion brings thee woe;
And day by day flows calmly on,
And sleep wings through the night-
Thou art in happy England,
I, where mosquitoes bite.

Thou hast the trusty faithful dog,
The quiet harmless cat,
But I the fierce Tasmanian D ---, (Devil.  --curator)
Opposum, and wombat;
Familiar objects greet thy sight,
Here all is strange and new
Thou art in happy England,
I, with the kangaroo.

Thou hast the blithe canary,
The robin chirps to thee:
While here the magpies chatter,
And rail from every tree;
Bright parrots glint beneath the sun,
And shriek their hideous song
Thou art in happy England,
I, wattle-birds among.

Than canst recline in any place,
And watch the moments pass:
Here briars and prickles fill the clothes
While lying on the grass;
They stick into the flesh, and sting
Like gnat, or wasp, or bee -
But thou in happy England
From all such plagues art free.

Hurrah for happy England!
For all the folk at home!
From hill and dale resounds the cry
No matter where we roam.
Hare scenes of beauty greet the sight,
The balmy air is sweet;
But still I sigh for England,
Where thou and I shall meet.

J. A. LANGFORD : On Sea and Shore.  In Langbridge, Frederick, 1849-1922. Poets At Play: a Handbook of Humorous Recitations. Vol. 2. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1888. 122-123.  (PD in the US.)

cat and dog pastimes from past times

vintage PD

From an 1892 book of English folk verses and games. . .

"Leg over leg as the dog went to Dover,
When he came to the style, jump he went over." . . .
This is said when placing the right foot and left foot of a child over and under, by turns. In Gloucestershire, seventy years ago, they said fox instead of "dog," and pop for "jump."

"Fie for shame, a dog in a lane,
If I was your mother, I'd give you the cane."
Said by youngsters to a child whose indelicate conduct can only be compared to that of "a dog in a lane."

"It's time, I believe,
For us to get leave:
This little dog says,
It isn't, it is; it isn't, it is, etc."
Said by a schoolboy, who places his book between his knees. His two forefingers are then placed side by side, and the breadth of each is measured alternately along the length of the book. The time to get leave (to be dismissed) is supposed to have arrived or not, according as one finger or the other fills up the last space.

Three cats sat by the fireside,
In a basket full of coal dust;
One cat said to the other
In fun, Pell-mell, Queen Anne's dead!
"Is she," said Grimalkin, " then I'll reign Queen in her stead,"
Then up, up, up, they flew up the chimney. (No one seems to know what this is all about - curator)

"A cat may look at a king,
And surely I may look at an ugly thing."
Said in derision by one child to another, who complains of being stared at.

-- Northall, G. F.. (1892). English folk-rhymes: a collection of traditional verses relating to places and persons, customs, superstitions, etc. London: K. Paul, Trench, Trübner. Passim.

two blue bunnies

image copyright and by kindest permission of the artist, ande hall

I do enjoy a lovely pastel work.  Mix in a couple of fat bunnies and my favorite complementary colors of orange and blue, and - well, you've made my Friday.  Kansas artist Ande Hall has a feel for pastels that mixes bright, delightful color with excellent form and control.  The results are not only rich in pigment and feel, but fun, as you can see when you skim through her gallery.  (Did you see the scarlet tanager, or the warbler on the nest, or any of those excellent chickens?)  This particular work grabbed me because the treatment of the lines mixed with that deep color reminded me of what I liked best about Fauvism (Matisse, for example).
Hall was a full-time veterinarian for 25 years, and still keeps her hand in part-time.   She also continues to serve animals through her Etsy shop - where 5% of her proceeds are donated to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature- the world's oldest and largest wildlife conservation organization).

lively, lovely pet obits

Back in July this year, The Guardian invited its readers to submit obituaries in memory of their beloved (and not so beloved) pets.  The published selection includes Julius the shoe-humping tortoise, Guto Dale the dog with perfect funeral manners, and Gary the psycho cannibal goldfish.  All their stories are told simply and vividly by the humans who loved them (or, in Gary's case, dumped him down the toilet).  Worth the feelings...have a read.

an affectionate alligator

By Charles Briton (1841-1884) (Design by Charles Briton via [1]) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

(The above illustration was a costume design for the Mistick Crewe of Comus's 1873 participation in Mardis Gras.  Something to behold, n'est pas?)

THE ALLIGATOR.
This creature is similar in habits and appearance to the crocodile. It is found only in America, and is most abundant in the tropical regions. The anecdotes which display its ferocity are numerous; but we choose one which exhibits it in a different character. Mr. Jesse had one which he made so perfectly tame, that it followed him about the house like a dog, scrambling up the stairs after him, and showing much affection and docility. Its great favorite, however, was a cat; and the friendship was mutual. When the cat was reposing herself before the fire, the alligator would lay himself down, place his head upon the cat, and in this attitude go to sleep. If the cat was absent, the alligator was restless; but he always appeared happy when puss was near him. The only instance in which he showed any ferocity was in attacking a fox, which was tied up in the yard. Probably, however, the fox had resented some playful advances which the other had made, and thus called forth the anger of the alligator. In attacking the fox, he did not make use of his mouth, but beat him with so much severity with his tail, that, had not the chain which confined the fox broken, he would probably have killed him. The alligator was fed on raw flesh, and sometimes with milk, for which he showed great fondness. In cold weather, he was shut up in a box, with wool in it; but having been forgotten one frosty night, he was found dead in the morning.

Poor fellow! This charming anecdote is found in:  Goodrich, S. G. 1793-1860. (1849). Illustrative anecdotes of the animal kingdom. Boston: Rand and Mann.307-308.

wall wildlife

From a Saturday away in Portland(ia), absurdly long lines for cafés not included...

a white rabbit on Alberta

...a lotus panda ... I think on N. Williams

...and encouragement from the restroom at a pie shop, which let's face it, we can all use on a Monday

It looks as though we've gotten the computing issues around here mostly sorted, so I plan less interruptions, just saying.

vintage wordless wednesday

from the 50-cent box at ampersand long ago

(I have to say one thing - look at the left calf.)

vintage wordless wednesday

another from noun pdx

cats and rain

image copyright and by kindest permission of the artist

Every day, Elizabeth gets the treat of a brief supervised outdoor playtime.  Unless it rains.  Then she huddles on the doorstop, looking sadly at the wet lawn, the bluest little gray cat in the world.  Here's Athens, Georgia artist Lyn with a watercolor called "Blue Raindrop Kitteh" to show what I imagine Elizabeth's cat soul looks like when it's too soggy to play.  This and many other charming watercolors are available at Lyn's Etsy shop FiggyMoss.
Lyn also creates intimately scaled, immediate nature photography exploring the textures of bark, leaves, flowers, even insects.  The effect is both restful and filled with power - you must go look.

vintage wordless wednesday

another find from noun in pdx

a polished cat

Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection (M.91.250.140) courtesy www.lacma.org (PD)

This 18th-century Japanese netsuke is made of wood, but so highly polished I thought at first look it was carved of stone.  Netsuke were often comic portrayals, and this one is no different:  a bulbous kitty with a funny look on his face, and one of his ears worn down to a nubbin.  A netsuke was a drawstring-clasp for a pocketbook of sorts, so this fellow was no doubt petted all day as he opened and closed.  I'm sure, too, he was petted for himself.  That must be where the ear went.