Tails of the city
January 11th 2009 21:00
Oops. Talk about sloppy typing! Being a lousy typist, I almost typed tales instead of tails in the heading.
Tails of the city is an exhibition currently on at the Museum of Sydney. It covers the history of pet ownership in Sydney from the 19th century onwards. Along with the usual tales of cats and dogs, there are photographs of pet owners with more unusual companion animals such as snakes, ferrets, ducks, macaws and alpacas.
Like most exhibitions, I came away feeling I had learnt something new. Who ever knew that even as early as 1803 there were ads placed in the Sydney Gazette regarding lost pets? Or that of the 1800 cats surrendered to the Cat Protection Society each year, two thirds are re-homed. Or that taxidermist Sam Furnari says he deals with creatures as small as rats and as exotic as snakes, rabbits and pigs. Or that cemetary proprietor Shane McGraw has seen people pass out during pet funerals. Such is our love for animals is evidenced by McGraw’s memory of one woman who literally went blind with grief.
For the kiddies, there is a Nintendo game and origami exercise where they can create their own cat or dog.
When I was done, I visited the Museum’s shop. It was filled with delightful pet-themed nik naks such as toys, journals, stationery and calendars.
Unfortunately, photography isn’t allowed in the Museum, else I would illustrate this post with pictures of the displays. But please check out the link below for more information or go to the exhibition. You won’t be disappointed.
HHT link
Tails of the city is an exhibition currently on at the Museum of Sydney. It covers the history of pet ownership in Sydney from the 19th century onwards. Along with the usual tales of cats and dogs, there are photographs of pet owners with more unusual companion animals such as snakes, ferrets, ducks, macaws and alpacas.
Like most exhibitions, I came away feeling I had learnt something new. Who ever knew that even as early as 1803 there were ads placed in the Sydney Gazette regarding lost pets? Or that of the 1800 cats surrendered to the Cat Protection Society each year, two thirds are re-homed. Or that taxidermist Sam Furnari says he deals with creatures as small as rats and as exotic as snakes, rabbits and pigs. Or that cemetary proprietor Shane McGraw has seen people pass out during pet funerals. Such is our love for animals is evidenced by McGraw’s memory of one woman who literally went blind with grief.
For the kiddies, there is a Nintendo game and origami exercise where they can create their own cat or dog.
When I was done, I visited the Museum’s shop. It was filled with delightful pet-themed nik naks such as toys, journals, stationery and calendars.
Unfortunately, photography isn’t allowed in the Museum, else I would illustrate this post with pictures of the displays. But please check out the link below for more information or go to the exhibition. You won’t be disappointed.
HHT link
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