*Post written by Mona Meyer, Archives and Special Collections Metadata Librarian
When you read that phrase, you immediately know that it’s talking about dogs. A special issue of Time magazine on July 20, 2018 (found here) explores this bond, and presents this biological fact:
“It was only by the tiniest bit of genetic chance that our cross-species union was forged at all. Dogs and wolves share 99.9% of their mitochondrial DNA—the DNA that’s passed down by the mother alone—which makes the two species nearly indistinguishable. But elsewhere in the genome, there are a few genetic scraps that make a powerful difference. On chromosome six in particular, investigators have found three genes that code for hyper-sociability—and they are in the same spot as similar genes linked to similar sweetness in humans.”
If you’re a dog lover, this explanation may be interesting, but basically the only thing that matters is the love you and your dog share, so let’s celebrate August as National Dog Month by enjoying these UASC images of people and their dogs, aka dogs and their people!
This undated early postcard is an advertisement for cologne, but clearly this child and dog are “besties.” RH 033-0738, the Local Postcard Collection 
There is no location for this circa 1920 image of an African American woman walking her dog, but many of the photographs within this collection are of Evansville. MSS 229-151, the Charles E. Rochelle Collection 
This April 1977 image from Evansville, IN celebrates the working relationship with dogs, here on a search and rescue mission. MSS 034-1550, the Greg Smith Collection 
In this October 1978 image, this woman and her dog are dressed in a similar fashion. MSS 064-2503, the Greg Smith Collection 
This little girl’s dachshund is certainly not going to get cold! November 1978. MSS 034-2521, the Greg Smith Collection 
Their dog is sticking very close to this group of young Amish boys in southern Indiana, November 1978. MSS 034-2512, the Greg Smith Collection 
In this 1917 by famed Evansville photographer and newsman, Karl K. Knecht, Jay Schaefer is walking on NW 4th St, in Evansville, near the Coliseum. There seems to be some debate between him and his dog–whose gloves are those, really? MSS 288-1925, the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science Collection 
Circa 1890, this young man has provided a seat for his dog, too. MSS 230-016, the Robert Schlundt Collection 
In September 1969, this American soldier had found 2 new friends in Vietnam. MSS 210-161, the Rick Winters Collection 
This might not be the best way to hold a dog, but this family member is being rescued from a flooded building in 1937. This Karl K. Knecht photograph is MSS 272-0717, the Great Flood of 1937 Collection 
This February 6, 1937 photo also represents the 1937 flood. This little boy is displaced from his home, living in the American Red Cross refugee station in what was the Chrysler plant at 1925 N. Garvin. He may be displaced, but his best friend is with him! MSS 264-1053, the Thomas Mueller Collection 
If you are going to take a family picture (circa 1900) on the steps of your house in Mt. Vernon, IN, you must have all the family members included! MSS 081-024, the Ruminer Family Collection 
And if you’re going to take a drive in your circa 1905 automobile, you must also take along all family members. MSS 157-0069, the Schlamp-Meyer Family Collection 
If the young man on the left used this motorized bike to do his job in 1910, he certainly needed his best buddy to come along. This location is the Anson F. White Bicycle Shop at what would now be 416 N. Main St. in Evansville, IN. (The 1616 on the door is the original street address.) MSS 157-0324, the Schlamp-Meyer Collection 
No responsible driver in the 1920s would venture out without an alert look-out on the roof. This location is the old Central High School on NW 6th St. in Evansville, IN. MSS 157-0949, the Schlamp-Meyer Collection
amUSIngArtifacts 
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