Sometime ago I picked up a book from the sale section a book titled REIGNING CATS AND DOGS by Katharine MacDonough which is "a history of pets at court since the renaissance". While moving books the other day, I rediscovered it on my shelf. She does give some information on the Russian Royal family pets.
Page 15:
>>In the case of the Tsarevich his isolation was exacerbated by his physical vulnerability and, although, adored by both his parents, he was particularly attached to his pets. HIs spaniel Joy was his constant companion until their extermination. He also had a cat Kotka.<<
Farther down the page:
>>Unlike the Tsarevich, his sisters had no pets, either because it was discouraged or because there parents were preoccupied with their ailing son. In 1914, when Tatiana, then aged seventeen, finally acquired a pet, she apologised [stet]to her mother: [p. 16]
"Mama darling mine,
Forgive me about the little dog. to say the truth, when he asked should I like to have it if he gave it to me, I at once said yes. You remember, I always wanted to have one...."
This was doubtless Ortino, mentioned again in 1915." [stet]. Tatiana's sister Olga was given a cat in 1916.<<
Looks like there are a few more comments but I haven't read them, yet.
Anyone know of a photo of "Bille"?
AGRBear