GULLIBLE’S BABBLES - 113: Mail-order and Dime-store Pets

IMAGE TO COME:

The line between pets, toys and novelties was often blurred when I was growing up in the 1960s and 70s. You could literally order living pets by mail through comic books ads and Johnson Smith catalogs.

The back of most all-in-one stores had two departments side by side that interested me; toys and pets. If you were fortunate enough to live in (or near) a city with such a department store, you could buy your baby turtle at the checkout and avoid the lengthy mail-order delivery time. My nearest brick and mortar store was Woolworths.

IMAGE TO COME:

By today’s standards, and looking back, the notion of mail-order pets is absolutely absurd. It’s Inappropriate. Even cruel. Fortunately times and mindsets have changed when it comes to the ethical treatment of animals. But … alas … it was a different time. A time of innocence but also a time when men reined over woman, racial inequality was accepted, seatbelts were a waste of fabric and TV commercials encouraged children to smoke cigarettes … just like daddy.

Good Lord!

In this blog thread, we’ll examine a variety of mail-order and dime-store pets from back in the day — in all of their misguided, unfortunate and ludicrous glory.

Let me end with a public service announcement; getting any kind of pet is a serious responsibility and a lifetime commitment. They are counting on you for their well-being and survival. If you’re thinking about adding a dog or cat to your household, please consider adoption. The number of homeless pets is staggering and they each deserve a safe and loving home.

Most gullibly yours.

— “Gullible”