Fanny absolutely loved her dogs! The Seward family had many pets of all kinds that lived in their gardens. Fanny would often lead stray pets home with her so they would have a place to stay. Throughout the 1850s, the family had dogs named Watchie, Neppy, Rover, Trip, and Bell (pictured). Bell was Fanny’s special pet who lived inside with her, and he is a common character in her diary!
Beyond household pets, Fanny also had a sensitivity for all creatures. After witnessing some turtles being cooked for dinner, Fanny was so upset that she vowed to never eat those animals again!
“Among other New Year’s preparations Louisa scalded to death eight unfortunate terrapins--poor things, if I could influence everyone by doing so, I would never taste animal food, but I cannot. At any rate I will not eat turtle, terrapins, lobsters, eels, and frogs (nor snakes and lizards, which come next.)” Dec 31, 1858