Cats and Dogs

Here is a photo of my mother (on the left) with her Scottish terrier Bluebell and her best friend Audrey. They even have matching pants! The year is about 1939 and they're in California. Although she was young at the time, she vividly remembers hearing the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor two years later.

Several years later and my mother looks very different, but Bluebell looks about the same.

My father didn't have a dog, but here he is at about the same time (1940) at the Berlin Zoo posing with his sister and two lion cubs. Soon, my parents' countries would be at war with each other.

In 1943, allied bombing destroyed the Berlin Zoo, resulting in the death of  many of the animals.
My father emigrated to the United States after the war.

Walk a dog down Memory Lane at Sepia Saturday. Click on the box below to begin your journey.

From Charles to Sarah Craven

Charles the sailor is at it again. The traveling Romeo sends romantic cards to Sarah, but does she know that Clara sends him cards with many kisses on them? I guess this is a romantic card, although the lady looks more masculine than her suitor. For earlier correspondence between Charles and Sarah, click here.

Here's the back of the card. The message reads:

League Island

July 11, 1910

Dear Sarah

How is the weather in Lawrence. I got a postal from Clara and her address. I have been out for a sail this afternoon. It's fine sailing up the Delaware river, nice and cool. Wish you were with me

Some day I'll take you out for a sail. your loving friend C.W.W.

 So, he has mentioned Clara; is it to let her know she has competition?

What's Up in Punxsutawney?

This is sort of an odd combination Memorial Day/Groundhog Day postcard. Anyway, it's as close as I get to a Groundhog Day postcard, because it was sent to someone in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, home of the Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. The front of the postcard is about remembering soldiers who died in combat, specifically in the Civil War.
 

The card was sent to Mrs. Sarah Malone in Punxsutawney in 1909.
The message reads:

Seattle Wash

4-21-09

Dear Sister Why don't you write

Was to Bremerton navy yard 17th

(????)

goodbye AHS

I don't know much about Sarah Malone, except that she was born about 1851 and was married to James Malone, who is listed as a farmer in the US census.

It really is Groundhog Day today, so if you want to find out more about the tradition or watch the live webcast of Phil, you can take your own virtual trip to Punxsutawney here.