In this photograph from August of 1936, Dolores Hansen sits on the wooden steps of her home next to her mother cat who is nursing five motherless puppies. The mamma cat protectively shields her charges from the photographer. The cat took over as the mother to the litter of puppies when their real canine mother was poisoned. The mother cat had recently given birth to a single kitten. (T. Times 8/18/1936 p.1)

Hansen, Dolores; Children & animals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cats; Dogs;

Dolores Hansen sitting on the wooden steps of her home with her black and white house cat that is nursing five motherless puppies. The question is will the puppies learn to bark or meow? The Hansen's cat came to the rescue of the litter of puppies when the Hansen's mother dog was poisoned shortly after giving birth. The mother cat had recently given birth to a single kitten and welcomed the puppies as brothers and sisters to her only child. As the puppies grew, mamma cat also took over their training - teaching them to chase mice and such. The Hansens gave away all but two of the puppies. The pups still take their meals side by side with the kitten. The whole family is watching the puppies' behavior anxiously to see just how they turn out. (T. Times 8/18/1936 p.1)

Hansen, Dolores; Children & animals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cats; Dogs;