Retro Indy has gone to the dogs

When Company H of the Tenth United States infantry returned to Fort Benjamin Harrison from the Panama Canal Zone in 1917, the soldiers brought back a canine mascot, which they named Dick. One of the infantry members, after watching one of the officers reserve corps drilling at the fort, said that "Dick knows more of the manual of arms than them guys." Under orders, Dick would walk on his hind legs, carrying a toy gun. Reportedly, Dick executed right oblique, left oblique and right about face with gravity and precision. Photo by unknown Indianapolis News photographer, May 22, 1917

Eleven-year-old Louise McNutt, daughter of Kathleen and Paul V. McNutt (governor of Indiana from 1933 to 1937), was granted a close-up look at two stunt performers in the traveling Gentry Brothers Dog and Pony Show on May 10, 1933. Frank Gentry, who along with three brothers founded the famed show, took Louise and her friends backstage (Frank served as a justice of the peace in Bloomington for 12 years).

Alfie, an Afghan hound, sometimes startled passersby in 1972 when heÕd pop up from behind a fence, looking like a neighborhood gossip. He was owned by Mr. and Mrs. James G. Stewart of Indianapolis. I

Even this dog was in step as troops of the 28th Infantry Division staged the first public review of its war-time strength at Camp Atterbury in 1951. Out of sight during most of the ceremony, the dog streaked across the field and fell into step behind the 18,000 helmeted infantry and artillery men of Pennsylvania's famed Keystone Division (also dubbed the "Bloody Bucket Division" by the Germans in World War II).

David Richardson, 5 hugs his pet English Bulldog, Mr. Rokesmith after competing in the Hoosier Kennel Club dog show in 1960.

Texas Saddle Girl, better known as "Tex," pictured on June 7, 1949, may appear to be quite a scholar from the looks of this picture, but she couldn't read a word. She was only hamming it up for the photo, but she was intelligent enough to win 27 dog obedience shows and three degrees --

Patches with his master, Roger Willoughby enjoy a day in the sun in 1974. Roger, wherever you are, that is one smooth outfit you're wearing.

In July 1936 grocer Ralph D. Boomershine and his dog, Brownie, observed the chicks' activity with great curiosity. The weather had been sweltering and found that his egg delivery has something "extra" the hatching of chicks.

Candy, a miniature dachshund doesn't look a bit worried as she pauses beneath Duchess, a Great Dane at least 10 times the smaller dog's size. 1968 file photo

Blue II and Blue III Friday, March 16, 2012 during a visit to The Indianapolis Star. THe dogs are always a welcome guest in the newsroom.

Crosby works to climb from the pool at the deep end. K-9s from all around the area turned out with their owners for the annual puppy pool party at Plainfield's Splash Island Water Park. The event marks the end of the season for the pool, before the staff prepares the pool for the Winter months.

Dog handler Tony Zintsmaster, right, looks towards "the pile" in a devastated section following the World Trade Center disaster in Manhattan with his dog Kaiser, as fellow handler Marti Vanada gets help from driver Jason Silvey and journalist Tom Spalding.

Buick Miller (right), a Belgian Malinois from the Hawthorne Police Department, enjoys the Opening Ceremonies for the World Police and Fire Games at the RCA Dome with his partner Frank Miller. The two competed in the Police Service Dog events.

Chris Clendenning of Rossville takes Riza, Community East Hospital's trained canine companion service dog, on a walk through the hallways of the hospital in 2003. Riza is used as therapy for patients such as Clendenning, who was injured in an accident.

Billy Watt (left) and Gene Compton come out of the field with their dogs after competing in the National Shoot-to-Retrieve Field Trials at Amo in Hendricks County in 1986.

Diana Alvarez poses with her Cocker Spaniel during a special training class in 1950.

This Saint Bernard enjoys a little fresh, but still nippy, air while riding in the car in 1975.

Ben Kesterson, 8, reads to Franklin, a dog that's part of the "Paws to Read" program at the Brownsburg Public Library in 2004. It's for kids that have a hard time reading, and gives them a non-threatening audience to practice on.

Tito, the Dalmation mascot takes his place high on the fire truck as driver Brandon Green of Engine House 15 on English Ave. makes ready to leave the scene of a fire in 1953.

Dandy, a three-year-old Pointer is the 1971 Dog of the Year Champion of the Central Indiana Field Trial Association. The dog shows his form with owner Robert cooper of Clayton.

Canines enjoy a dog-day afternoon on the southeast corner of East 23rd and Pennsylvania St.in 1978.

Bill Starling, 25 of Wilmington, Del stopped in Indianapolis, Aug. 22, 1972 on his way to California. Starling and his three German Shepherds, King, Margaret and Sarge, plus a shepherd pup were walking to focus attention on "humanity to animals".

Jerry Bonari and his English Bulldog Cagney enjoy a day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 14, 1971.

Guy Miller rides his bike while he takes out Queenie (far right), and her offspring Princess and Kaiser for a walk in 1965.

Tracy Rigdon, 6 of Corydon Junction and a neighborhood dog named Big in 1973. The dog roamed the neighborhood and also answered to the name Jack.

Gabriel Randolph's "wonder dog," Tramp like to keep watch over his domain from a high vantage point. He chose the roof of the Randolph home on Fletcher Ave., which he patrolled daily.

Paul Williams, 8 salutes King, one of 10 German Shepherd dogs recruited by 40 Carmel High School pupils to serve as sentry dogs for the Unites States armed forces. The dogs were sent to the sentry dog procurement center at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas

Tony Zintsmaster INTF-1 Canine Search Specialist and his retired 9/11 Search dog Kaiser. K-9 Search Specialists with the Indiana Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team train their K-9 partners for Federal Emergency Management Agency operations inside building that are in the process of being razed on the grounds on Methodist Hospital, downtown Indianapolis, Saturday August 6th 2011.

At the front of the staged ceremonial area was a single framed photograph of Fluer, the four year old, Dutch Shepherd, police dog with the Greenfield Police Department. The dog lost his life in the line of duty early in 2000. Special funeral services were held for the beloved police dog, at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenfield, Indiana. In the background is a fellow Greenfield officer standing guard, with his head down in prayer during the service.

Morgan Wright gives her dog "Tramp" a big hug in 1995. In 1991, Tramp had been dragged from the back of a pickup as it drove down the street. That man was charged and convicted.