Anubis is the Greek name for the jackal-headed god that appeared frequently in Ancient Egypt. The protector of the underworld, images of Anubis accompany the dead in their travels through the underworld. Jackals are nocturnal hunters, well suited to lead the journey through darkness, and small figures of them, such as this one in the Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, are often found in tombs.
Portraits in the 17th century often included the loyal family pet. Dogs were frequently used as symbols of fidelity and and watchfulness. The little black and white dog in Jacob Ochtervelt’s portrait, Lady with Servant and Dog, c.1671-1673, Carnegie Museum of Art, may symbolize a happy marriage, as well as the watchfulness of the man-presumably the woman’s husband-looking in discretely from another room.
Man’s best friend is immortalized in New York’s Central Park with Frederick G.R. Roth’s bronze statue of Balto. Created in 1925, it is a tribute to the mushers and dogs who traveled 674 through blizzard conditions to bring life-saving medicine to the diphtheria stricken residents of Nome, Alaska.
If you have a dog, today is a good day to give it some extra love. If you don’t have a dog, it’s a good day to get one! My dog, Faey, agrees!
You should have included a pic of Faey!!
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