Cher Ami: died June 13, 1919
Cher Ami was a homing pigeon who served the United States army in France in 1918. One of her most extraordinary flights was at the battle of Argonne. Two homing pigeons had already been released by a battalion of the 77th Division in an effort to save themselves. The pigeons were shot down by the Germans who had the battalion surrounded. Cher Ami, the division's last pigeon, was released with the following note attached to her leg:
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Smoky: 1943-1957
Smoky, a 4 pound, 7 inch Yorkshire terrier, was found in an abandon foxhole in the jungle of New Guinea during WWII. She was sold by one corporal to another for about $6.50. She spent the next two years with Corporal William Waynne, the corporal who had bought her. She served in the South Pacific with Wynne and the 5th Air Force, 26th Photo Recon Squadron. One of the first animals or even people I met when I moved my horse to a new barn was a big, old ugly turkey. Her name was Lucy. She was the fattest turkey I had ever seen. She walked with a limp, kicking one foot way out in front of her while she walked. She never put her toes down on that foot, like a person who has stepped down on a thorn but has not stopped to pull it out. She was missing a lot of feathers too. It looked like something had been chewing on her. She certainly was not a pretty sight to behold. But she was friendly.
Sergeant Stubby: 1916-1926
Sergeant Stubby was a bull terrier type dog that was found as a stray on the Yale University campus by the 102nd Infantry, 26th Regiment. He was smuggled aboard ship when the regiment was shipped to France. When the commanding officer discovered him, Stubby saluted, as he had been trained to do by the soldiers. He was allowed to stay. The next 4 Monday's Beasts will be dedicated to animal war veterans. May their service not be forgotten. They join us in battle but fight for no country in particular. They are innocent of war but they are always there as allies.
On August 19, 1960 two Russian dogs Strelka and Belka were rocketed into space. They spent a day in orbit aboard Sputnik 5 before safely returning to Earth. Their travel companions, 42 mice, one gray rabbit and 2 rats. They were the first living creatures sent into orbit to return safely to earth.
Strelka went on 5 more space voyages. She then had puppies one of which, Pushinka, (Fluffy) was given to JFK by Nikita Khrushchev. Pushinka had puppies sired by JFK's Welsh terrier, Charlie. JFK called the 4 puppies, “the Pupniks”. All the Pupniks were eventually given away. On July 2, 1959 two Russian dogs, Otvazhnaya (Brave One), Snezhinka (Snowflake) and a rabbit Marfusha (Little Martha) were shot in to space. They made a successful sub-orbital voyage and returned unharmed to earth. Lucky them!
Laika's trust, Laika's willingness, Laika's love was the price paid. Laika, a small stray, was trained for a Russian space flight and sent in to orbit alone aboard Sputnik II on November 3, 1957. She was the first animal to orbit in space. She died 4 or 5 hours after lift off from stress and heat exhaustion.
Russian ground control to creatures above. We have shot you into space. Sorry if you do not return. We needed you to trust us and you did. Now we are sorry we have deceived you.
During the 50's and 60's many animals were shot in to space during the Russian and US space race. The next three paintings are dedicated to some of the Russian Cosmonauts that were not human. These were some of the first animals to be shot up in to space for the "advancement of mankind". Laika, next Monday's Beast was the first sacrificial star and mar of space flight. Check in next week to read her story and see her painting. The man loved animals. His daughter did too. She drew him pictures and he hung them on the wall. The dad used to tell his daughter tales about animals and all the things they did. He made her love them even more. How a turkey had spooked a pony right in to a pond. How a parrot had picked up swearing from painters. How a horse had let out all the other horses in a barn. How a camel had gotten mad and spit on him. How an elephant took a cap off a boy's head and smacked him with it. He clipped and gave his daughter articles and pictures of animals and all the things they did. The last one he gave her, before he died, was of a baby mountain goat standing on its mother's back. Thanks Dad! I finally painted this one for you. Wisdom has soared through the terms of 12 presidents and is still soaring over the Pacific Ocean. Read her story here.
How time can move us on. Day to day it often feels like nothing changes. Down here in the heat of a North Carolina summer the pace feels languid. Things move along slowly. Not much happens.
Do you conform? You too? Me too! We all do but some are better at the game than others...
The lady asked me, “What is that?”.
To which I replied, “HE is a dog named Snookie. The lady said, “But what is he?” I told her, “Of his parentage, I can not be sure. Of his character, he is a dog of the highest merit.” Then I asked her, “Who are you?”. A proud black horse and an unassuming little mule. I think they have it all wrong...read my tale of two equines here.
Help! I am obsessed. I thought I knew who he was. Sun lover soaking up the rays on his wood deck. Late riser. Early to bed. What else should I have known...?
Do bluebirds consider real estate options like we do...neighborhoods, appearance and the like? They definitely move house sometimes, I've seen it.
Why do we, humans ask so many question when most kinds of animals don't ask any?
Home sweet home. Home on the range. Home in a cabin. Home in a burrow. Home in a nest. Home on a fence?
You better believe in cross species communication when there's an angry bear with a message charging you.
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