Carl Van Vechten: Robert Downing with his cat, Ginger, October 1959. Source: Museum of the City of New York.

“‘Tarzan,” 180 pound great dane; ‘Happy,’ kitten,” May 1951. Source: Los Angeles Examiner Collection, Doheny Memorial Library, University of Southern California.

“Cats drink from bowls where goldfish swim around unconcerned and in no danger,” 1952. Source: Los Angeles Examiner Collection, Doheny Memorial Library, University of Southern California.

No. 1. ‘Francis’ (the cat) quenches thirst while ‘Toby’ (the goldfish) swims nonchalantly under tongue. ‘Francis’ disdains drinking from dish on floor, prefers to lap water from ‘Toby’s’ bowl and never molests fish. This has been going for several months in the home of Tamara Lee, 11, 3702 Dolphin Street, San Pedro, whose pets they are.

No. 2. ‘Blondie’ (the cat) and ‘Willie’ (the fish) likewise get along without fish becoming a ‘snack.’

“‘Tippytoes,’ mother cat, and her two kittens in teacup.”  April 1958. Source: Los Angeles Examiner Collection, Doheny Memorial Library, University of Southern California.

George Silk, Los Angeles cat show, 1952. Source: LIFE Photo Archive, hosted by Google.

Carolyn and Allen by Vermont Historical Society on Flickr.

Gone Fishing by Wooway1 on Flickr.

Tippy. Source: janwillemsen on Flickr.

“A Pleasant Reflection.” Illustration from Happy Cats, 1942. Source: janwillemsen on Flickr.

Boy with Cat by Vermont Historical Society on Flickr.