Figure 1.-- Here a boy name Freckles is having fumn with his dog in his Soapbox Derby car dyring 1933. The inscription on the back of the snapshot reads, "'Pilot' Feckles gets in trim for the Pushmobile Derby -- July 28, 1933.".

One of the joys of childhood is the relationship with the family pet which more often than not was a trusty pooch. This relationship is beautifully captured in children's classics (Lassie, Old Yeller, Rin-Tintin, and many others). The dog is perhaps the best know pet over time. We do not know much about dogs in colonial America, but given their utility they much have appeared very early in the colonies. Cats were primarily important to control vermine. Many things change over time, but there are also certain constants and children and dogs must have foreged bonds. And children on farms were often isolated. Dogs mut have thus provided valuable companions. America until about the turn-of-the 20th century was primarily rural. Thus dogs could be easily kept. The relationship between farm children and pets may have been different. Dogs on the farm had useful functions. And they lived outside. Guarding the farm buildings and livestock was one of their functions. And farm kids are used to livestock being slaughtered. This is somewhat difficult to assess in the photographic record, because available images are studio portrait. As American moved into cities, this relationship may have changed. It became more difficult to keep dogs in the city. And new types of dogs--toy breeds more suitablre for city life. Cats were more practical. The relationship with children was different. As Americans moved into the suburbs keeping pets became more practical. And this is the experience that most modern American children have had with their dogs. They have grown up thinking of them as one of the family. And they often have virtually no practical function, other than emotional bonding. For the younger children they were a loyal, always available playmate. Not all children had the pleasure of growing up with dogs, but many did and forged a range of cherished childhood memories. There were of course other pets, but the childhood relations were different.

Created: 7:27 PM 11/17/2012
Last updated: 7:27 PM 11/17/2012