Dogs and Cats in Vintage Photos

"Central Studios. 369P. With 'Pete,' Our Gang Dog, Steel Pier, Atlantic City." Our Gang was "a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures" that first appeared in movie theaters as early as the 1920s. The films were later released on television beginning in the 1950s under the original Our Gang name or as The Little Rascals . Pete the Pup , also known as Pete the Dog With the Ring Around His Eye, was a fixture in the comedies, and he (or his successor, whose ring was painted on) posed with children for souvenir photos like this one at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the 1930s. The boy in this photo, who doesn't seem to be enjoying his time with Pete, is the same kid who's playing with his toys in Sonny, Bunny, and Dummy and A Pedal Car for Christmas .

I hope they escaped in time! A Florida souvenir real photo postcard. Postmarked: Miami, Florida, Nov. 13, 1923. Addressed to: Mr. Adam Petcher, Box 515, Somerset, Pa.

A dog on a vintage real photo postcard.

"Chuck brings to you our old treasure chest full of our best 1956 Christmas wishes. Ada and Jacob T. Bowman, M.D."

Written on the back: "12/29/67 - Bo." Bo on the floor and Tennessee Ernie Ford on the TV. I'm not sure whose legs those are on the couch. For another dogs-TV-legs combination, see Fuzzy Dog (below).

See also a detail showing a close-up of the furniture on the right side of the photo.

Detail of Woman with Dog cabinet card showing the furniture on the right side of the photo. Don't miss--like I did--the bird among the foliage on the tall vase thingee (with wicker leaves or petals at bottom).

A real photo postcard. See also a detail showing a close-up of the purse that the girl is holding. For a discussion regarding what kind of purse it is, see Flickr: A Girl and Her Dog . Handwritten on the back: "Louise Creighton. Born in year 1910."

Detail from A Girl and Her Dog showing a close-up of the purse that the girl is holding. For a discussion regarding what kind of purse this is, see Flickr: A Girl and Her Dog . Handwritten on the back of this real photo postcard: "Louise Creighton. Born in year 1910."

Although I purchased this photo in Pennsylvania, I don't have any information regarding its date or location. It's possible that it was taken at a family get-together or a church gathering, but it's difficult to tell whether the group is posing in front of a residence, meeting house, or another type of building. Some of the clothing--especially the women's head coverings--suggests the type of plain dress that is still characteristic of Amish, Mennonite, Brethren, and other religious groups in Pennsylvania. Mouse over the image to see additional notes.

Stamped on the back of this photo: "Aug 18 1949." Posted to the Vintage Photos Theme Park group as an "unintended people's shadows" photo (and there's a dog, too!).

Your favorite dog photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Seated on fire engine no. 13, these proud Dalmatian parents watch over their seven pups, who are trying to squirm their way out of firefighter's footwear. I haven't been able to determine the origin of this snapshot. I spent quite some time squinting at the hood of the engine in an attempt to figure out the name of the fire company. It's possible that the letters "aniley" are in part of the name above "[fi]re co." but I wouldn't bet any money on it. In any case, this is currently my favorite dog photo.

Slide "custom processed by Tower" with no other identifying information.

An undated real photo postcard.

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo of backyard sports (e.g., croquet, badminton, horseshoe pitching, bocce ball, etc.) . A tinted French real photo postcard from the early twentieth century showing children with a dog and toys, including a hoop and stick, doll, badminton racquet and shuttlecock, jump rope, and rings.