the mimic dog

public domain

This is a "Mimick, or Gethulian-Dog," as recorded by Edward Topsell in his natural history of c. 1600.  It's described as "being apt to imitate all things it seeth, for which cause some have thought that it was conceived by an Ape; but in face sharpe and black like a Hedge-hog, having a short recurved body; very long legs, shaggie hair, and a short tail..."  Apparently in ancient Egypt this sort of dog was taught all manner of tricks.  Whatever breed could this have been?

Topsell, Edward, 1572-1625?. The History of Four-footed Beasts And Serpents... The whole rev., cor. and inl. with the addition of two useful physical tables, by J[ohn] R[owland] M.D. London: Printed by E. Cotes, for G. Sawbridge [etc.], 1658. p. 127.

of the dog called the setter

John Caius wrote the first book on English dogs in 1576 (we've seen him before, writing of terriers).  Here he speaks of a breed we love well here at the Museum, for as longtime readers know, the "staff" includes Briar, the English Setter.  I have left it in the original English of the time, so sometimes you'll see a "v" is used for "u" and vice versa, as in "vpon" (upon) and "indeuour" (endeavor).
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Another sort of Dogges be there, seruiceable for fowling, making no noise either with foote or with tounge, whiles they followe the game. These attend diligently vpon theyr Master and frame their conditions to such beckes, motions, and gestures, as it shall please him to exhibite and make, either going forward, drawing backeward, inclining to the right hand, or yealding toward the left, (In making mencion of fowles my meaning is of the Partridge and the Quaile) when he hath founde the byrde, he keepeth sure and fast silence, he stayeth his steppes and wil proceede no further, and with a close, couert, watching eye, layeth his belly to the grounde and so creepeth forward like a worme. When he approcheth neere to the place where the birde is, he layes him downe, and with a marcke of his pawes, betrayeth the place of the byrdes last abode, whereby it is supposed that this kinde of dogge is called Index, Setter, being in deede a name most consonant and agreable to his quality. The place being knowne by the meanes of the dogge, the fowler immediatly openeth and spreadeth his net, intending to take them, which being done the dogge at the accustomed becke or vsuall signe of his Master ryseth vp by and by, and draweth neerer to the fowle that by his presence they might be the authors of their owne insnaring, and be ready intangled in the prepared net. . .

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Caius continues with a story which he offers as proof that setters can behave in a "cunning and artificial" way if it serves its master's purpose, in this case as part of an animal show in which a hare thumped and nipped at a patient dog. 

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. . . which couning and artificiall indeuour in a dogge (being a creature domesticall or householde seruaunt brought vp at home with offalls of the trencher and fragments of victualls) is not much to be maruailed at, seing that a Hare (being a wilde and skippishe beast) was seene in England to the astonishment of the beholders, in the yeare of our Lorde God, 1561 not onely dauncing in measure, but playing with his former feete vppon a tabbaret, and obseruing iust number of strokes (as a practicioner in that arte) besides that nipping & pinching a dogge with his teeth and clawes, & cruelly thumping him with y' force of his feete. This is no trumpery tale, nor trifling toye (as I imagine) and therefore not vnworthy to be reported, for I recken it a requitall of my trauaile, not to drowne in the seas of silence any speciall thing, wherein the prouidence and effectuall working of nature is to be pondered.

-- Caius, John, 1510-1573. Of Englishe Dogges, the Diversities, the Names, the Natures And the Properties: a Short Treatise Written In Latine And Newly Drawne Into Englishe. [Washington: Reprinted from the original by M. G. Denlinger, 1945. pp. 15-16.

the museum of ordinary animals

thanks pixabay

"The boring beasts that changed the world," runs the subtitle of this exhibit at London's Grant Museum of Zoology.  Think of it: when's the last time you visited a natural history museum and saw a chicken?  A dog?  Even (and this was a hotly contested inclusion, it seems) frogs? 
Why would you need to go to a museum to see these critters when they're everywhere around you?  The answer isn't so much about seeing as rethinking.  The Grant Museum's doing the natural-science version of what I do here at The Pet Museum: examining the impacts they have had on our world and our cultures.  Upcoming discussions, if you're lucky enough to be over on that side, are: "Is It OK to be a Cat Guy?" "Rats," and "Cats Broke the Internet."
Atlas Obscura has a bit more on it here.  (A word of warning: Nature science means specimens.  There are skulls, mummies, a preserved kitten.)

the naturalist's cat, 1700s

Here's what the French naturalist Sonnini (Charles-Nicolas-Sigisbert Sonnini de Manoncourt, 1751-1812) recorded on the subject of his most beloved pet:
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As everybody knows, the Turks are great cat-fanciers; and in Egypt a cat is even allowed in a mosque. These animals are in all the houses of the inhabitants, and are indulged and caressed by the effeminate and indolent of the upper classes. In fact, unless they were deified, as in the times of the ancients, it would be impossible for them, our zoologist thought, to be made more of.

Sonnini himself had a passion for cats. ‘He always kept a number of them, and in his works has spoken of them in the highest terms of commendation. The manners of the Egyptian cats confirmed him in his idea that these animals are greatly influenced by the treatment they receive. He compared the barbarous usage of the miserable creatures in his own country, and asked, who could wonder if they had a savage look and wild manners, while these Egyptian pets were so gentle and familiar. If the reader share with me M. Sonnini’s partiality for mousers, he will read with great pleasure what follows :—

“ I was for a long time the possessor of a very fine Angora cat. Her long and thick hair covered her completely; her bushy tail formed a brush, resembling a beautiful plume of feathers, which she could at pleasure turn upon her back. No spot, no shade tarnished the dazzling whiteness of her coat. Her nose and the turn of her lips were of a pale rose colour. In her round head sparkled two large eyes—the one of a light yellow, and the other blue. The graceful movements and attitudes of this charming cat were even surpassed by her amiable disposition. Her aspect was mild, and her gentleness truly interesting. Though ever so much handled, she never exerted her claws from their sheath. Sensible of caresses, she licked the hand that stroked her, or even that by which she was teased. When travelling, she would lie quietly upon my knees, without the necessity of being held; she made no noise, nor was she at all troublesome while near me, or any other person she was in the habit of seeing. When I was alone she sat at my side, would sometimes interrupt me with little affectionate caresses in the midst of my labours or meditations, and she would also follow me in my walks. In my absence she would seek me, and at first cry after me with uneasiness; and if I did not soon make my appearance, she would leave my apartment, and attach herself to the person in the house whom, after me, she most loved.She knew my voice, and seemed to receive me every time with increased satisfaction. Her step was straight, her gait free, and her look as mild as her disposition; in a word, under the brilliant and furry skin of a cat, she possessed the good temper of the most amiable dog..."

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Sonnini speaks even more of his treasured friend, and movingly of her eventual death.  This is a vivid picture of devotion to a cat, rare to find during this period of human history.

-- from Brightwell, C. L. 1811-1875. (1861). Romantic incidents in the lives of naturalists & celebrated travellers. London: Nelson. 151-3

hedgehog redux

By Edward Lear [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Back in 2014, the Guardian ran a piece on the resurgence of the African pygmy hedgehog as a popular pet.  As adorable as they are, the author, Hugh Warwick, makes several excellent points as to why this is not a great idea.  Paramount among these is the tendency for owners to tire of the critters and set them "free" into a terrain that is not natural to them, and also already a habitat at risk for the rapidly dropping European hedgehog population.
Here's Hugh Warwick's site on how to work for the good of hedgehogs everywhere.  Have fun on Hedgehog Street.  (Be sure to read their page on hedgehogs and culture!)