Butts In The Air, We Just Do Care

In response to this post about vintage ceramic animals, Butts In The Air, Like They Just Don’t Care, Nina writes:

Hi Deanna!

I came across an old blog post of yours when I was researching a vintage dog figurine for my Etsy shop. It has it’s butt up in the air and a hole where the tail should be. Ring any bells? Anyway, I thought I’d write you, firstly to ask if you ever found out what the use was for these kitschy creatures? And secondly, to let you know, in case you’re still collecting them that I just put one up in my shop.

Great blog! I’ll be back to check in, I do love the kitsch!

Nina

Here’s the vintage little dog Nina has:

vintage dog from thebakerandthebar

To answer your question, Nina, the fact is that hubby & I still debate this. He still thinks there was some sort of a “bobble” type tail. Butt However until I see one like that I remain unconvinced…

I often look for such items. So far, I have not found any (other than more modern plastic ones — which look quite different). However, you do see quite a number of dogs with spring tails. Most people are familiar with the antique postcards featuring dogs with metal spring tails.

1912 bulldog postcard metal spring tail

There are other examples too. Like these antique cast iron dogs with spring tails. You can see that the metal spring tails are attached to a “docked” nub of a tail on the dogs, which would not work on the vintage ceramic pieces we have.

antique metal dogs with spring tails

Today, however, I ran into this rather unusual version. This urinating dog is about six inches long, is marked ‘Germany’ on the bottom, and the seller calls it “Rockingham glazed.”

vintage Rockingham glazed ceramic dachshund dog

vintage Rockingham glazed ceramic dog made in germany

Aside from the dog lifting his leg to pee, this vintage ceramic dachshund is also a decanter of some sort.

urinating lifting leg to pee vintage dog

The metal spring of a tail is attached to a ceramic piece which holds a cork. The opening for the cork stopper has raised edges, so it is quite different from the vintage ceramic dogs that Nina and I have. Although, I could see that some sort of stopper is a possibility… But then what would these little ceramic dog decanters for?

cork tail with spring

container tail cork

raised hole for cork with spring tail

I’m wondering if this was some sort of inkwell for a dog-themed novelty desk set. (See also: Scotty The Pup Desk Accessory.) Perhaps it was a flask?

If you have any info on this dog — or any of these dogs — please let us know!

Image Credits: Antique postcard with bulldog with metal spring tail via Ernies Postcards; cast iron dogs with spring tails from Shusues Collectibles; and the photos of the urinating dog decanter from Orygun Trail Antiques.

“Don’t Act Like You’re Not Impressed”

While some are tired of the push for Anchorman 2, some of us are only too delighted to spot Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy “everywhere”. Tomorrow’s premier is still too long to wait, so I’ve gone looking for Ron and Anchorman goodies. You’ve probably heard of the Ron Burgundy underwear from Jockey (also available at Amazon), the scotch (not just any scotch, the Great Odin’s Raven Special Reserve), and Ben & Jerry’s Ron Burgundy’s Scotchy Scotch Scotch ice cream too; but here are some of my favorites.

The Ron Burgundy Wallet and Mustache Set is prefect for those of who love money and mustaches. (Who does that leave out? No one.)

Don't Act Like You're Not Impressed

This 13 inch talking doll action figure of Ron Burgundy says 10 phrases from the first Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

ron burgundy talking doll

Then there’s the Battle Ready Ron Burgundy doll action figure — don’t worry, additional Anchorman “Battle Ready” action figures, including Brick, Brian, and Champ are due from Beeline Creative in the coming months.

anchorman battle ready action figures from beeline

Unfortunately, no on seems to have made any Veronica Corningstone merch. That’s a damn shame. Some merch guys & toy makers must have gone on vacation with Tits McGee. I have at least a dozen ideas; so ping me.

Blue Poodles

I posted a vintage blue poodle treasury at Etsy, of which this one is my current favorite. Along with being vintage, blue, and a poodle — wearing glasses, yet! — this one combines my love of fur on figurines and is both a bobblehead and a bank!

It would have been this one, but I already have it!

Wiggle Waggle

Vintage Wiggle Waggle Alps wind-up toy dog — you wind him up and his head wiggles (bobbles) and his tail wag-gles!

This vintage toy is plastic, measures roughly 6 inches tall — and, yes, he works!

There’s a blue paper / cardboard label on the bottom with Alps and Made In Japan printed on it. If you love the Wiggle Waggle, don’t dilly dally — he’s going away for free at Listia right now! (If you don’t know what Listia is, (here’s my review.)