A list of curious facts

Editor’s note: The pooch overload is entirely accidental—due to the timing of Westminster. Just saying… in case you’re worried that we’ve turned into a doggo zine (though, it would be more fun than writing about wars and politics).

One: In the 1930s, ostrich carts were seen running amok on Southern Californian roads. So much so that the traffic police had to ask some of them to slow down. 

The roots of this weird form of transportation date back to the late 18th century—when explorers brought back these birds—which became royal pets. Then, an Englishman named Samuel Samuels had a bright idea: 

In the early 1860s, Samuels unveiled his first ostrich carriage—a four-wheeled carriage pulled by a pair of elegantly adorned ostriches. The carriage, with its flamboyant design and feathered adornments, was an instant sensation. It quickly became a favourite mode of transportation for the wealthy elite, who relished the opportunity to be seen in such an opulent and eccentric vehicle.

Sadly, ostriches proved to be an impractical if grand choice: “Stories of ostriches running wild and carriages veering off course became part of the folklore surrounding these peculiar vehicles.” They were eventually replaced by the far more boring automobile. At the peak of their popularity, folks could even go bareback riding on ostrich farms—as you can see below. (All Chronology) 

Two: Think dogs are humanity’s oldest best friend? Maybe not. That honour may belong to a species of fox called the Dusicyon avus—which went extinct about 500 years ago. Their remains have been found buried in a 1,500-year-old human grave in Argentina. Other archaeological evidence suggests that foxes were kept as pets—even eating the same food as humans. They were roughly the size of German Shepherds—as you can see below:

The interesting bit:

Experts often explain dog domestication as something that happened because humans realized that they could put dogs to work as hunters or herders, Grandal-d’Anglade said. But the D. avus skeleton at Cañada Seca and other fox burials hint that an animal didn’t need to be a useful worker to be nurtured by humans — it could simply be a friend. 

What we don’t know yet: How the dastardly dogs evicted the foxes from our homes. CNN and Independent UK have more research to chew on. 

Bonus fact: The Istanbul airport now has a team of therapy dogs at the international departures lounge—to soothe stressed-out passengers. They work in rotation for five days a week, for three hours a day. FYI: Dozens of airports in the US also have therapy dogs—introduced after the 9/11 attacks. (AFP via NDTV)

Three: We all know that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria kicked off World War I—which, in turn, led to World War II. But did you know he was a terrible man who killed nearly 300,000 animals—including “tigers in India, kangaroos, emus and wallabies in Australia and stag and deer in the forests of Austria.” His record: 2,140 kills in a day: “Emperor Franz Joseph described his nephew’s hobby as mass murder.” 

So not much of a loss to humanity—though his death led to many losses of humanity. But, hey, he had a thing for roses—and supported voting rights for all… except women. We’ve included a pic of him posing as a mummy in Cairo—since it’s more pleasant than the photos of his kills. (PBS)