Sunday, October 3, 2010




from The Times (Tuesday, 2 March 1938)
LAST RITES FOR 'JIGGS'
Bing Crosby and Miss Lamour
Mourn Trained Ape
HOLLYWOOD--March 2--(U.P.)--The late Jiggs, $100 a day movie ape, who took showers in his mistress' bathroom and ate with a knife and fork at the family table, was buried this afternoon in a coffin with silver handles and a purple satin lining.
The rites were held at 2 o'clock at the Hollywood pet cemetery with typically Hollywood fanfare. Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour were chief mourners. Flowers were sent by these and other stars.
Jiggs was far-famed as the only ape star able to express emotion. He could laugh, cry, or show rage at the word of command from his mistress.
The chimpanzee, nine years old at the time of his death from pneumonia yesterday, had been trained by Mrs. Jacqueline Gentry since he was two.
He had polished table manners and dined at the table with the Gentry family. He had his own knife and fork and silver mug. An upholstered chair, small size for the 80-pound ape, was placed in the living room for him.
Mrs. Gentry taught him to take his own bath, and he grew fond of showers in her bathroom.
She bought him a bed and fixed him up a bedroom, but here Jiggs drew the line at civilization, and indirectly caused his own death. He lay in the bed but refused to sleep there. Instead he insisted on sleeping outside in the patio. The last few days have been stormy and Jiggs caught a cold that quickly developed into pneumonia.


Pet Cemetery Clippings of Dubious Interest


from the Oakland Tribune (Saturday, 22 August 1921)

VETERAN KNOWS BRAVERY OF DOGS

To Editor TRIBUNE:

Just a reply to this "Mother F." article in the Forum of August 19.*

I wonder if she realizes the valuable work done by dogs during the world war and that many of them gave their lives in saving the lives of our soldiers?

One who has never seen Mans' most faithful friend in action has no idea of the love of a soldier for him.

I have followed our flag to the four corners of the earth and during my military career have seen a dog given a military funeral--his flag draped casket borne to rest by loving hands while strong men, true soldiers, shed unashamed tears at his open grave. I should have liked to have had anyone hint to them that they were misusing the flag upon this occasion.

Our own dog is buried in the Los Angeles pet cemetery to which this party refers and we are proud of it--a better citizen and more faithful friend than he will be hard to find and I am glad the flag flies over his final resting place.

I am a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and also a member of the Legion of Valor, so I certainly feel that I am a true citizen of the United States.

--A VETERAN
*Unfortunately I was unable to find the article to which this Veteran refers.