Canary Island HIstory

Twittering little canary birds are obviously named after the Canary Islands. But the island's name came from the Latin canariae insulae which means 'islands of dogs.' Apparently the island's inhabitants all owned ginormous tail - waggers! It was originally an island famous for being full of fidos and not birds!

Cyclops and Elephants

The scattered skulls of prehistoric pygmy elephants on Crete may have formed the belief in the existence of cyclops, the one - eyed giant featured in Homer's Odyssey! The ginormous single nasal cavity certainly would spark the imagination of any storyteller. These pint sized pachyderms were extinct by then so the locals wouldn't have recognized the skulls as being from an elephant. Isn't that fascinating?

Lucky Stork Vintage Postcards

vintage postcards

According to Alsatian tradition, children wanting a sibling can coax the baby bringing stork by leaving a sugar cube on the windowsill! A leggy stork would actually prefer a tasty toad, lizard, fish, or earthworm but it is certainly a sweet idea. I'm off to hide the sugar!french vintage postcards

Colossal Dogs and Vino

dog vintage postcard

This bright as a button bambino has everything that I little girl could want! Man's best friend in XXXXXL is at her side, wine, and an extremely heavy horse shoe are all present. ODD! Don't trip little Chloé:)

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My Hometown - Saint Fargeau

vintage postcards

This is a vintage postcard from Saint Fargeau! I live in this little town:) The middle of the castle is quite tubby and chubby. It looks like it's been eating to many decadent pastries.


The vintage postcard reads: Benediction des Chiens - Blessing of the Dogs. The pups at the bottom of the steps are being hallowed for Saint Hubert Day. He is the patron saint of the hunt:) Woof!

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Hair Raising Dog Shaving in Paris

Does Fifi need a haircut? Eugene the local dog barber is on the job! This trade is known as a 'tondeur de chiens' in French.

Eugene no longer offers his grooming services to his four legged clientele. But, this vintage postcard scene is a dog lover's delight!

Exotic Menus during the Siege of Paris in 1870 - Jardin des Plantes Vintage Postcards

Starving Parisians butchered zoo animals from the Jardin des Plantes during the siege of Paris in 1870. Prussian forces encirlcled Paris and blockaded it. The citizens were forced to turn to unusual meat sources. They began eating horses to satiate hunger pains. An estimated 65,000 horses were eaten during the siege. The very poor ate rats. Although a famous Jockey club did apparently make a nice rat salami.

 The two zoo elephants were bought by Mr. Deboos of the Boucherie Anglais in the Boulevard Haussman for 27,000 francs . The trunks were sold as a delicacy for 40 or 45 francs a pound. Elephant was not apparently tasty. Thomas Bowele, who was in Paris during the siege, wrote that he had eaten camel, antelope, dog, donkey, mule, and elephant and of those he liked elephant the least.

  

Menus began to offer exotic dishes such as Cuissot de Loup avec Sauce Chevreuil (Haunch of Wolf with a Deer Sauce), Terrine d'Antilope aux truffes (Terrine of Antelope with truffles), Civet de Kangourou (Kangaroo Stew) and Chameau rôti à l'anglaise (Camel roasted à l'anglaise)

I am feeling faint while writing this article. I think I’m going to become a vegetarian now!