If a love of animals is passed on through the DNA, then it would explain why I've always had some sort of pet. Cats, dogs, goldfish, guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles... you name it, I've probably had one. Or more.
The following are photos of a few of our family pets:
Lucky was my father's beloved boyhood companion for a number of years. He now has a Welsh Corgi, a Cocker Spaniel, and about 7 cats. At least, that was the last count.
For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of this cat. I do remember that she was a Siamese, and had blue eyes that I think were crossed. My grandmother always had one or more cats; even the neighborhood cats hung out at her house because she put out food for them... just in case they were hungry. Unfortunately, I discovered that I was allergic to cats when my eyes swelled up and itched like crazy every time we went to visit my grandparents.
I've had about 5 dogs in my lifetime, but Pepper was my first. He was a bit odd, but loyal and loveable, nonetheless. He is pictured here getting a bath in a tub that's just a few sizes too small. And yes, my shirt really does say, "Shake Your Booty." It was the '70s.
Reilly lives with us now. I adopted him in 1999 from the animal shelter when he was about three months old. He was my "baby" until my daughter came along. He doesn't much like his new position in "the pack," unfortunately.
Photographs:
"Dad and Lucky," (ca. 1952). Photograph. Privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal.
"Reba Dunn Swanay and Cat," (ca. 1973, Rialto, Riverside Co, California). Digital Image. Privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal.
"Pepper and Me," (July 1977, El Toro, Orange Co., California). Photograph. Privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal.
"Reilly," (September 11, 2007, Lompoc, Santa Barbara Co, California). Digital Image. Privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Creatures Great and Small (Mostly Small)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Young Love, Old Love
Being in love is easy when you're young and infatuated. It's not so easy when you've spent a lifetime together raising children, learning about each other, and living through life's ups and downs.
Married on October 2, 1917, in Greene County, Tennessee, my grandparents, Isaac Lee and Reba Dunn Swanay spent almost 70 years together. Almost. My grandfather passed away in 1986 and grandmother in 1987, so they didn't quite make it to 70. But they came closer than most us ever will.
The first photo was taken at an unknown family gathering in November 1917, so they were still newlyweds. The second photo was taken at their 60th wedding anniversary party in October 1977.
They were dealt some hard knocks, but they stuck it out. You don't see that kind of commitment very often these days.
Will I make it to my 70th anniversary? Not likely, unless I live to be 110. But I'll give it my best shot.
Photographs:
Isaac Lee Swanay and Reba Dunn Swanay, Nov. 1917, Greene Co, TN. Copy of original photograph privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal, CA.
Isaac Lee Swanay and Reba Dunn Swanay, Oct. 1977, Rialto, Riverside Co, CA. Original image privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal, CA.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Wordless Wednesday: In Celebration of Mothers
Photo of my grandmother Reba Dunn Swanay (center), daughter Edna, and mother Sarah Jane Swatzel Dunn (right), c. 1918. Copy of original photograph in possession of Elizabeth O'Neal.
About Wordless Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
My Great-Grandparents: John and Sarah Jane (Swatzel) Dunn
4 February 2008 would have been the 131st wedding anniversary of my great-grandparents, John Dunn and Sarah Jane Swatzel Dunn. 
John, Reba, and Sarah Dunn
John was born on 14 March 1843 in Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina. He was the fourth child of eleven of Samuel Marion Dunn and Julia Ann Blanton Dunn.
Sarah was born on 16 December 1855 in Greeneville, Greene County, Tennessee. She was the sixth child of eleven of William H. Swatzel and Eliza Jane Thompson Swatzel.
John and Sarah were married on 4 February 1877, in Albany, Greene County, Tennessee. Sarah was John’s second wife; his first marriage was to Anna Babb on 15 January 1866. Anna died on 4 November 1876.
John and Sarah raised twelve children of their own, as well as three children from his marriage to Anna.
Children of John and Sarah Dunn:
- Samuel Marion Dunn, born 21 November 1877, in Greene County, Tennessee; died 5 June 1955, Urbana, Illinois.
- Julia Ann Dunn, born 11 August 1878, in Newmansville, Greene County, Tennessee; died 8 May 1957, Colton, San Bernardino, California
- Georgie Florence Dunn, born 9 November 1880, in Greene County, Tennessee; died 1881, in Tennessee.
- John Walter Dunn, born 3 May 1882, in Greene County, Tennessee; died 13 February 1952, Bristol, Virginia.
- Charles Edy Dunn, born 9 October 1885, in Greene County, Tennessee; died 14 October 1887, in Greene County, Tennessee.
- Nina Josephine Dunn, born 6 January 1888, in Tennessee; died 9 February 1936, in Riverside, California.
- Bertie Charlotte Dunn, born 9 November 1891, in Greene County, Tennessee; died 27 March 1917, in Greene County, Tennessee.
- Mary Barton Dunn, born 30 November 1889, in Tennessee; died 3 March 1891, in Tennessee.
- Dolly Myrtle Dunn, born15 January 1894, in Greenville, Greene County, Tennessee; died 11 February 1979, in Loma Linda, California.
- Jodie Lee Dunn, born 5 May 1896, in Newmansville, Greene County, Tennessee; died 13 May 1925, in Greene County, Tennessee.
- Bonnie Lucille Dunn, born 30 April 1898, in Greene County, Tennessee; died 30 March 1979, in Tennessee.
- Reba Clyde Dunn, born 17 May 1901, in Greene County, Tennessee; died 4 August 1987, in Pasco, Franklin County, Washington.
John fought for the Union in the Civil War. Enlisting at the age of 19, he served as a Private in Co. K, 1st Tennessee Cavalry, from July 12, 1862, until June 5, 1865. He was captured in Newnan, Georgia, on July 31, 1864, and held at Andersonville Prison. He was one of the lucky survivors who made it out alive.
John died on 15 September 1915 in Afton, Greene County, Tennessee, and is buried in Union Temple Cemetery in Greene County, Tennessee. Sarah died on 18 July 1921 in Newmansville, Tennessee, and is buried next to her husband.
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Source: Dunn, John, Reba Clyde, and Sarah Jane. Photograph. c. 1906. Original photograph in possession of Elizabeth O'Neal, California, 2008.
Original cemetery headstone photographs of John, Sarah Jane, and Reba © 1994-2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal, California.
Other Sources include: Census records, marriage license, death certificates, military records including pension and Declaration of Widow.
