Marie Prevost & canine pal; circa 1920s. Via.
Tag: dogs
Dames & Dogs #81
Circa 1956; via.
Dames & Dogs #80
From Underpants & Lederhosen To Kilts
I still yearn to see Sir Oliver T. Puddington in lederhosen — but that doesn’t mean I am also not enthralled by the idea of seeing our Basset Hound in a kilt. Bonus points for being able to also get the other pets into the action, or portrait, as the case may be. Custom pet portraits by Fotos 2 Art.
Dog Laundry
Ah, the cutthroat world of dog launderers. From what I can tell, this “Billy and Betty Adventure” from the April 1940 issue of True Story magazine involved a pint-sized mob extortion, probably laundering dogs used during cocaine transactions. You know, you sell a bunch of coke, get a truckload of dogs, but you can’t just spend those dogs, otherwise people will be able to track the dope back to you. So, you blackmail Billy and Betty into laundering your dogs, which clears the trail and keeps the DEA off your back. Sounds legit? Yeah, I should’ve just read the story.
Dames & Dogs #79
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:
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.
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.
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.”
Aside from the dog lifting his leg to pee, this vintage ceramic dachshund is also a decanter of some sort.
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?
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.
Dames & Dogs #78
From the National Archives:
Although Fala might be the most famous of the Roosevelts’ dogs, this is a different Scottish terrier from decades before Fala joined the family. This photograph was taken in 1907. The dog, Duffy, is competing with Anna Roosevelt for a treat from the hand of FDR (who is standing over them, not yet stricken by polio).
Dames & Dogs #77
Tamara Desni and her dogs, all dolled up for the day. Via.
Dames & Dogs #76
A hand tinted tintype portrait of a young lady holding a dog in her lap, ca. 1860s. Via.