National Black Dog Day

October 1st is  National Black Dog Day.

It's a special day devoted to highlighting the plight

of black dogs in shelters around the country.

Around our place, EVERY day is black dog day

but to put a special note on it since

black dogs are notoriously difficult to re-home,

a warm hearted backward glance might be in order ...
an ode to some lovely mugs & the humans they owned.

~ archive photo, photographer unknown ~

~ Mary Miles Minter, 1917 ~

~ from George Eastman House ~

~ Queen Victoria, by W. and D. Downey, Getty Images ~

~ cabinet card from Germany, c. 1915 ~

~ Jet ~

[ 7/21/42 - 10/18/49 ]

Jet was an Alsatian who assisted in the rescue of 150 people

trapped under blitzed buildings.  Born in Liverpool, he served with the

Civil Defence Services of London and was awarded the Dickin Medal

and the RSPCA's Medallion of Valor for his rescue efforts.

He trained at the War Dogs School in Gloucester at 9 months in anti-sabotage

work and relocated to London.  Cpl. Wardle and Jet were the first handler and dog

to be used in an official capacity in Civil Defence rescue duties.

~ archive photo, Harris-Ewing ~

~ vintage photo, photographer unknown ~

~ Duchess of Fife with daughters, c. 1908 ~

~ Edwardian lady with her dog, French postcard ~

~ girl & her dog, Stockholm, Sweden, by Wilhelm Lundberg, c. 1865 ~

~ Helen Keller, archive photo ~

Whenever it is possible, my dog accompanies me on a walk or ride or sail.

I have had many dog friends - huge mastiffs, soft-eyed spaniels, 

wood-wise setters, and honest, homely bull terriers.

At present the lord of my affections is one of these bull terriers.  He has

a long pedigree, a crooked tail and the drollest "phiz" in dogdom.

My dog friends seem to understand my limitations, and always

keep close beside me when I am alone.  I love their affectionate ways

and the eloquent wag of their tails.

~ Helen Keller

~ Malvina Longfellow by Bassano, 1918

:::

~ our black dog, Quinn ~

... grateful you came home with us, girlie.

You may be a handful 

and a training challenge, to say the least,

but you're all heart and smart as a whip.

It's only your fears holding you back ...

same as with the rest of us.

:::

Can't adopt a black dog today?

That's ok ... it can be a big decision.

Here's something easy:

Click here for an easy and free way to help care for those in need at The Animal Rescue Site!