For as long as people have lived in this area, dogs have as well.
Different types of dogs were part of the life of B.C.'s Indigenous population before Europeans arrived. The Salish Woolly dog was an important part of life for the local First Nations; not only were they companions, but also a source of fur that was used in weaving.
Unfortunately, they're extinct now.
However, dogs remained a regular part of life in the area, and as settlers built Vancouver, dogs remained by their sides.
Many photos in the City of Vancouver archives include dogs; some are poses, but others just catch a furry friend living its life next to its people.
Some were pets and some were likely working dogs to some extent. There's even a picture of a local fire station posing with their dog. And there are several photos of dogs with soldiers from around the First World War; tens of thousands of dogs were involved in the war, from working on the front lines to mascots to helping haul gear.
To be fair, it appears most of the dogs in the gallery were companions, with names ranging from the mundane (Bruce) to the royal (King) to the unusual (Cronje was named after a general in the Boer Wars).
