In July of 1938, Gunnar Anderson and his German shepherd, Duke, were preparing to drive to Cincinnati where Gunnar was to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. A popular radio pianist and organist, and member of the KVI staff, Mr. Anderson had won a scholarship to study under Dr. Karol Liszniewski. Later, while serving in the Navy in San Diego, he played the organ for services and special occasions, and assisted in the chaplains office. Gunnar Anderson was a member of the American Theater Organ Society, and he died June 5, 1984 in Bellingham at the age of 76. (T. Times, 7/13/1938, p. 2).

Anderson, Gunnar; Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pianists--Tacoma--1930-1940; Convertible automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Austin automobile;

ca. 1940. Artichoke plant. Mrs. Reynolds is holding her Boston Bulldog while standing in a garden beside a large artichoke plant in this circa 1940 photograph. Steep shingled roof of house in background.

Dogs; Artichokes;

Big Jake, a one-year-old Saint Bernard, was to have been shot in October of 1940. Jake had gotten into a playful tussle with a pet goat and unfortunately killed it. His owner, 84, called the Sheriff's Dept. to have deputies be dispatched to kill Jake as he feared for Jake's future after the owner passed on. Deputies McLean and Bunce arrived at the home only to be met by a gentle Jake who promptly licked their hands. That persuaded the officers to take Jake to the dog pound instead and an alert was put on the air by sportsman Ray Grummel asking for a new home for Jake. Mr. Grummel had found homes for countless dogs in the past. Within a very short time, George Nygren of Spanaway was chosen as Jake's new owner. From left to right in this happy picture are: poundmaster A.T. Sabutis holding Lyle Nygren, Ray Grummel, Deputy Sheriff Frank McLean, George Nygren, city stockman Frank Oathout and Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Bunce. (T.Times 10-31-1940, p. 25)

Dogs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grummel, Ray; Nygren, George; Nygren, Lyle; McLean, Frank; Sabutis, A.T.; Oathout, Frank; Bunce, Lawrence; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma);

Edward Warburton, new manager of the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society, is standing beside the shelter's new truck with two dogs and a cat, stray pets at the shelter. The Humane Society is holding an open house on May 9, during "Be Kind to Animals Week" for visitors to see how the shelter operates and the many pets that are available for adoption. (T.N.T., 5/6/48, p. 4). TPL-8344

Dogs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cats; Pets; Dogcatching--Tacoma; Animal shelters--Tacoma; Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society (Tacoma); Warburton, Edward;

From September of 1942 until the end of March, 1947, 713-15 Commerce housed USO #2, a club reserved for the entertainment of servicemen and women of color. One of the unique activities in the club took place each year during "Be Kind to Animals" week. Servicemen assisted in the planning and production of a dog show with the pets of local children. Ribbons were presented to the best in each catagory. In this photograph dated September 16, 1945, unidentified children and servicemen pose with a variety of dogs at the club. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

In 1905, Sarsaparilla, the pampered pooch of the Tacoma police force, was famous for using his ugly mug to "sweat" a confession out of suspects. "Sas," as he was known, had been left at the police station when only a few days old and was raised on a bottle. The bull dog was soon known as the ugliest dog in Tacoma. When a suspect was brought into Police Chief Malony's office for questioning, "Sas" only had to be called from his blanket in the Chief's office, fix his slanted eyes on the criminal and the information began to flow. (TDN 10/28/1905, pg. 17)

Bulldogs; Dogs--Tacoma--1900-1910; Police dogs;

The first Thursday in April, 1926, was a busy day for telephone number Main 4515. All day the phone rang for "Mr. Towser," "Mr. Barking," and "Mr. K.Nine." Lee Kane took messages for the missing Messrs. advising callers that they would call back shortly. Mr. Kane was a Tacoma police officer stationed at the dog pound. And the missing Messrs.? They were all one entity: a regal pooch named Mr. Barker. The first Thursday in April, 1926? April Fools Day. Here a patient Mr. Barker "speaks" to a bewildered caller. (TNT 4-1-26, p. 1) (Bowen 26224)

May 31, 1924, photograph of an unidentified woman kneeling on lawn with two dogs. Houses in background are draped with flowers, including climbing roses. Photograph ordered by Dr. Albert W. Bridge.

Dogs; Flowers;