As mentioned in our last thrilling episode, I have been checking through the new arrivals to the inventory, looking over the adventures of dogs. Here it was that I discovered the existence of the Bystander Beast, animals whose conduct in a postcard is minor. But there are plenty of postcards where the dog is at the center of activity, usually accompanied by a small boy. (I have no idea what game they’re playing here; they may be making it up as they go along.)
Ideally, a dog will get a new pet when it is very young, so the small boy can be trained up properly.
This way, boy and dog can be equal partners, not to say accomplices, in any fun that is waiting around to be had.
Otherwise, the small boy may get involved in less mutually joyful pastimes. (Yes, I KNOW it is the kid who is wailing, blaming it all on the dog, who seems to be gloating. But tying cans and other metal objects to a dog’s tail was no particular fun for the dog, who went running and howling around because it was frightened by the noise the tin cans made. You don’t see this much nowadays, not because small boys are more considerate but because they can’t get the tin any more.)
In fact, the postcard companies were well aware that the relationship between a dog and its pet is not guaranteed to run smooth.
And yes, there ARE plenty of postcards about dogs with pet girls. (Although artists were quick to suggest that the female pet can be fickle.)
There are also examples of family dogs, though if the family is large, there’s a good chance the dog will become just a bystander beast watching the play of its pet family. (In this case, however, the dog is doing its best to contribute to the general chaos.)
Then there’s the working dog, which may have pets, of course, but which also has a serious job to tend to. This one, for example, gives diligent attention to its primary responsibility: providing puns.
While this racing dog is intent on making sure visiting pets enjoy their vacation. (Remember the motto of resorts and convention organizers: “If you have any money left, you are not having a good time.”)
I THINK Scottie here has a job in HR. If that were his secretary, his supervision of whether she’s obeying the dress code would be questionable.
And THIS lad is in Quality Assurance, making sure that the cream in the saucer is suitable for EVERY member of the family. You may question why he has a pet cat in addition to his other responsibilities, but dogged effort will overcome the most stubborn prejudices.
Blogsy Babbles 