By D. Scott Forfar
When you browse the Lake Country Museum’s historical photograph collection, you will discover many photos of dogs puppies, pampered lapdogs, and working farm dogs all appear in the archive. Just like today, people loved capturing memories of their favorite animal companions.
Credit: Frank Rimmer with Dogs, Oyama. LCMA 2013.84.1.22
Proud pet parents also included their dogs in more formal portraits, like the image of Agnes Dawson sitting in her garden. Agnes likely wanted to capture a memory of a special occasion. Her choice to pose with her cherished canine companion, Ruff, surrounded by her abundant flower garden, reminds me of painted portraits from centuries past. Throughout art history, dogs were often included in family portraits as symbols of loyalty, fidelity, and faithfulness.
Credit: Agnes Dawson with Dog, circa 1930’s. LCMA 2015.37.41
Beyond symbolism, pets in portraits allow individuals to express their love for their furry friends. Take, for instance, the photo of Elmer Asher with his dog Bowser posed on a chair. Elmer is dressed in a clean white shirt and tie, and I imagine he’s excited for his first day of school but sad about leaving his best friend Bowser behind.
Credit: Elmer Asher with dog Bowser. LCMA 2005.014.003
Given Lake Country’s agricultural heritage, it’s no surprise that many photos feature working dogs. Dogs on farms and ranches served various roles, including herding and guarding livestock.
If you worked on a ranch, you likely heard the universal commands of “walk up” (move towards the livestock, slowly and steadily), “come by” or “away” (circle around the livestock), and “that’ll do” (return) used to guide herding dogs.
Credit: Slim Haugen riding down trail with dog. LCMA 2016.75.33e
Perhaps the most endearing photos in the collection feature dogs with children, evoking fond memories of exploring and playing with beloved pets on warm summer days. In one delightful photo, the Caldwell, Clement, and MacDonnell children appear to be captivated by an energetic border collie in Norman Bell’s field.
Credit: Children and a dog in Norman Bell’s field. Included are Betty Caldwell, Don Caldwell, Wilma Clement, Gwen MacDonnell, Allan MacDonnell (order unknown). LCMA 2019.22.265
My favorite pet portrait in the archive is a charming photo of a young girl in a boat on Wood Lake, embracing M.P. William’s fluffy ranch dog, which is clearly a cherished family friend or perhaps just a patient pooch that enjoys the attention.
Credit: Credit: Girl with dog, Wood Lake, 1930s. LCMA 2010.002.074
As I browse through these snapshots, I can’t help but think about all the pets in my life. The love and companionship that our pets provide create enduring memories that we all cherish.
END