Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Dogography by Francis Butler 1856
The life and adventures of the celebrated dog Tiger, comprising a variety of amusing and instructive examples, illustrative of the happy effects of the appropriate training and education of dogs, by Francis Butler.
This is a quirky little book, a biography of a dog named Tiger and written from Tiger's point of view. Tiger's father is described as a "40 lb white as snow, pure bred bull-dog", an undefeated champion pit fighter. His mother is described as a "perfect specimen of a Scotch terrier". Tiger is described as looking like his father. In the 100 pages of Tiger's life, he kills, dogs, cats, snakes, monkeys, muskrats, hogs, beavers, rats and wolves. Tiger even attempted to drown a poodle that he was competing with. It is unclear if this story is based on a real dog or if Tiger was owned by Butler.
Here are a few excerpts from the book.
CHAPTER XXIII
TIGER'S ACQUAINTENCE WITH THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG ROSWELL - HYDROPHOBIA - TIGER'S COGITATIONS p54
These attacks had engendered in me a certain mistrust of the whole fraternity, so that with all strangers I assumed a dignified, distant, self-confident demeanor, which seldom failed to impose respect even from the most refractory. But a word from my master was enough: cat, dog, badger, bull, or bear, all were one to me. At his command I seized my antagonist, regardless of danger, thoughtless of my own safety, and bent on destruction. He, and he alone, could restrain my fury, and even then did I reluctantly obey his commends, such was the violence of my excited temper. I was born so, and to conquer it has been the main study of my life, though I succeeded only to a certain extent; but without education I might have lived a perfect hyena, lacerating friend and foe, seeking for blood, a scourge to the flock and the pest of society.
CHAPTER XLVI
TIGER GIVES A WONDERFUL ACCOUNT OF HIS PUPIL "NERO" P103
The noble Nero was more akin to my father's blood, though, to the best of my knowledge, not related to either of us. To a stranger his outward appearance was repulsive to the extreme, though in form and symmetrical proportions none had ever excelled him. His mother was born in Dublin, his father in Warwick, England, while he first saw the light within the immediate sound of the New Jersey bull-frogs, catydids, tree-toads, and musketos. His parents were both of as pure bull-stock as the Old Country could furnish, of well-tried pluck and immeasurable daring. Alas! I am sorry to avow it, these were the only qualities of which they could boast, or rather of which they had no reason to be proud. These were the unimproved gifts of nature, which, if duly restrained and well directed, might have rendered them matchless guardians and faithful companions. None dared to boast of their friendship, while all dreaded them as enemies. Uncertain in their affections, undiscriminating in their antipathies, their names were honored alone by dog fighters and bullies. His father was a smooth coated brindle bull-dog, with the most horrid looking phiz that was ever exhibited to the public: large staring eyes, high forehead, short nose, and projecting under jaw, displaying in full his weapons of assault and defence, accompanied by a daring grin, which debarred all visitors from courting his acquaintance. Of his valor he bore undoubted marks. Two of his ribs were stove in by a bull, one of his legs was broken by a bear, while he indented scalp bore evident traces of hard fought battles, in one which his right ear was gnawed off, close to the skull. Certainly there was nothing prepossessing in his appearance, except his dread naught, dare devil expression; and as he was thoroughly tutored in the sublime art of seizing, lacerating and destroying, his life was devoted to the unlimited exercise of his ungovernable passions. His mother was of a similar class: about his equal in size and, and displaying equal purity of blood. She was the property of an Irishman, who prided himself in her ferocity even more than in his own. He had every reason to glory in it, as she was as ferocious as a hyena; so much so, that the near-dwellers, who greatly feared lest she might break loose and slake her fury on some innocent object, decided one day, during the absence of her master, on ridding themselves of her dreaded attacks. Thus terminated the career of the mother of one of the best of quadrupeds that ever was trained by dog or man.
Francis Butler (1810-1874), author, veterinarian, and possibly the first "dog whisperer"
This is a quirky little book, a biography of a dog named Tiger and written from Tiger's point of view. Tiger's father is described as a "40 lb white as snow, pure bred bull-dog", an undefeated champion pit fighter. His mother is described as a "perfect specimen of a Scotch terrier". Tiger is described as looking like his father. In the 100 pages of Tiger's life, he kills, dogs, cats, snakes, monkeys, muskrats, hogs, beavers, rats and wolves. Tiger even attempted to drown a poodle that he was competing with. It is unclear if this story is based on a real dog or if Tiger was owned by Butler.
Here are a few excerpts from the book.
CHAPTER XXIII
TIGER'S ACQUAINTENCE WITH THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG ROSWELL - HYDROPHOBIA - TIGER'S COGITATIONS p54
These attacks had engendered in me a certain mistrust of the whole fraternity, so that with all strangers I assumed a dignified, distant, self-confident demeanor, which seldom failed to impose respect even from the most refractory. But a word from my master was enough: cat, dog, badger, bull, or bear, all were one to me. At his command I seized my antagonist, regardless of danger, thoughtless of my own safety, and bent on destruction. He, and he alone, could restrain my fury, and even then did I reluctantly obey his commends, such was the violence of my excited temper. I was born so, and to conquer it has been the main study of my life, though I succeeded only to a certain extent; but without education I might have lived a perfect hyena, lacerating friend and foe, seeking for blood, a scourge to the flock and the pest of society.
CHAPTER XLVI
TIGER GIVES A WONDERFUL ACCOUNT OF HIS PUPIL "NERO" P103
The noble Nero was more akin to my father's blood, though, to the best of my knowledge, not related to either of us. To a stranger his outward appearance was repulsive to the extreme, though in form and symmetrical proportions none had ever excelled him. His mother was born in Dublin, his father in Warwick, England, while he first saw the light within the immediate sound of the New Jersey bull-frogs, catydids, tree-toads, and musketos. His parents were both of as pure bull-stock as the Old Country could furnish, of well-tried pluck and immeasurable daring. Alas! I am sorry to avow it, these were the only qualities of which they could boast, or rather of which they had no reason to be proud. These were the unimproved gifts of nature, which, if duly restrained and well directed, might have rendered them matchless guardians and faithful companions. None dared to boast of their friendship, while all dreaded them as enemies. Uncertain in their affections, undiscriminating in their antipathies, their names were honored alone by dog fighters and bullies. His father was a smooth coated brindle bull-dog, with the most horrid looking phiz that was ever exhibited to the public: large staring eyes, high forehead, short nose, and projecting under jaw, displaying in full his weapons of assault and defence, accompanied by a daring grin, which debarred all visitors from courting his acquaintance. Of his valor he bore undoubted marks. Two of his ribs were stove in by a bull, one of his legs was broken by a bear, while he indented scalp bore evident traces of hard fought battles, in one which his right ear was gnawed off, close to the skull. Certainly there was nothing prepossessing in his appearance, except his dread naught, dare devil expression; and as he was thoroughly tutored in the sublime art of seizing, lacerating and destroying, his life was devoted to the unlimited exercise of his ungovernable passions. His mother was of a similar class: about his equal in size and, and displaying equal purity of blood. She was the property of an Irishman, who prided himself in her ferocity even more than in his own. He had every reason to glory in it, as she was as ferocious as a hyena; so much so, that the near-dwellers, who greatly feared lest she might break loose and slake her fury on some innocent object, decided one day, during the absence of her master, on ridding themselves of her dreaded attacks. Thus terminated the career of the mother of one of the best of quadrupeds that ever was trained by dog or man.
Francis Butler (1810-1874), author, veterinarian, and possibly the first "dog whisperer"
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Vintage's Top Pit Bull Aviation Moments in History
The latest tactic in the Great Pit Spinster Movement (you know the ones, childless females who are on a Mission from God to ensure the United States has as many pit bull maulings as possible) seems to be decrying Civil Rights violations at every possible venue where a fighting dog should not be. The latest cause célèbre is petitioning oppressive airline companies for sensible restrictions on the transport of pit bulls. Below are the top pit bull aviation moments in history….
After sinking your teeth into them; does anyone have a sane reason why a Pit Bull should be allowed within 1000 feet of an aircraft?!?
Vintage's Top Pit Bull Aviation Moments in History:
1. Fort Wayne International Airport, Indiana, October 21, 2001. A real life episode of “The Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” occurs when a pit bull being trafficked aboard a Kitty Hawk transport flight escaped its cage. The animal cornered members of the crew forcing an emergency landing and aircraft evacuation. Emergency crews and Animal Control respond.
News-Sentinel October 29, 2001
2. American Airlines 757 flight July 22, 2002; “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet “ remake occured when a pit bull being trafficked from San Diego to New York chewed out of its cage in cargo hold of airliner, then attacked the aircraft communication components and chewed an 8 inch hole in the aircraft bulkhead.
pit bulls on planes: part 2
3. Dulles International Airport, December 11, 2009; Two pit bulls being trafficked to South Korea shut down Dulles Airport…. One of the Pitties chewed his way out of his kennel, then chewed his way into the kennel of the other one…. All hell then broke loose when they tried to kill each other on the tarmac. The airport was shutdown while Law Enforcement responded and pumped lead to terminate the “scuffle”.
wric.com
4. Atlantic City, New Jersey, July 6, 1911; A “Canine Idiot” bull terrier ran into the propeller of famous aviation pioneer Harry N. Attwood’s airplane as he attempted to take off to complete the last leg of an aviation contest sponsored by the New York Times. Attwood’s damaged aircraft took off, then plummeted into the surf in front of a crowd of thousands. Remember, aircraft aggression is not the same as human aggression….
New York Times, July 8, 1911
5. Fort Still, Okalahoma, February 15, 1919, Another Canine Idiot Bulldog attacked the propeller of a Squadron’s aircraft that was preparing to move back to their home base. The aircraft movement was delayed until the aircraft was repaired. And they wonder why pit bulls are banned from Military bases…
Idiot Dog vs Airplane
6. Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, May 6, 1931;…. Canine Idiot- “Tige” the bulldog mascot, latched on to a cast of rope of departing US Navy blimp. Tige subsequently soared to 400 feet, then plummeted to his death in a forest. Perhaps this is why military airfields approach paths are routed away from neighborhoods……
The Calgary Daily Herald. May 6, 1931
7. Stockton Airport, CA, November 27, 1990. 8 dog fighters were arrested getting off a chartered flight returning from a dog fight in Memphis. California and Tennessee have had nearly 50 pit bulldog bite related fatalities between them but dog fighters have nothing to do with it….
The Union Democrat November 27, 1990
8. Calgary International Airport, Canada, 2009; Police were summoned to assist with a pit bull being trafficked to an unknown destination. The animal had chewed it’s way out of it’s kennel. Odd, usually Pit Bulls are trafficked into Calgary…..
www.orilliapacket.com
Saturday, March 17, 2012
"Breeding, Training, Management, Diseases Of Dogs", by Francis Butler
Bull-Dog
Projecting teeth, small ear and forehead high ; Capacious chest, with muscle, well displayed. The Boxer's bully, and the Tinker's jade ; For them he fights, the scars alone his prize, True to the last, for them, unpitied dies. Exposed his vices, now his merits scan ; The latter real, the former due to man. By nature true, courageous, serious, stern ; Excited oft, his latent passions burn ; Rude urchins, educated in the street, Rowdies genteel, who on the corners meet ; Some men of sense and title too, in fine, Make cruel pastime of this brave Canine. Concealed to view, and worried, day by day, Trained to the Bait, the Battle and the Fray, Inured to hardship, 'reft of every friend, His life's a torment, and a boon his end. Tho' few his social virtues dare to boast, Yet those who know him best, will prize him most ;
While others yap, and yelp and yell, and fly, Carve o'er his grave ; " I conquer or I die.
Friday, March 16, 2012
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