History Blog: The Hapless Hairless Dog

In October, 1913, the Oakland Tribune reported on the hapless dog Pete, owned by Arthur Whipple of Decoto. While out and about, the dog stumbled across a covey of blackbirds and scared them before he knew what was going on. The blackbirds, not happy being startled, attacked the dog and "with unerring precision they picked him clean of fur; so now he wears a red flannel union suit to keep him warm and also for decency's sake."

It would have been worse for Pete, but toward the end of the fight, Arthur happened upon the scene and was able to rescue his dog, exhausted and hairless.

The dog was reported "under the care of a veterinarian and hopes are held out for his recovery. But he will never be the same. His fine courage and his canine precocity will never recover from a harrowing experience when he inadvertently explored a lair of blackbirds."