When the talking dog Don swept the whole country in the storm.

In the heyday of American vaudeville, from 1880 to 1930, there were few performances without one or two animals.

A mouse dressed as a jockey is riding a cat on the runway. Elephants waltz and hula. Kangaroo boxing, sea lion juggling, monkeys riding bicycles and smoking.

But it seems that no animal's behavior can attract people's attention like the talking dog Don, which is a feeling when it debuted in 19 12. Eight-year-old Tang is known as the "dog phenomenon of the century". He described a German hound, a forest dog, a setter or a pointer dog in different languages. As early as 19 10,

This word has attracted people's attention in the United States, and its vocabulary has finally reached eight words, which is a suffocating news report from Europe. According to some records, his first word was haben (in English), followed by Don, kuchen (cake) and hunger (the same word in English and German). Later, ja and nein ("yes" and "no") were added, as well as ruhe ("quiet" or "rest") and Haberland (owner's name).

Juggling is a family entertainment program suitable for all ages. Although it is not as famous as a "legitimate" theater (think Hamlet), it is a big step from a petite farce (more like a naked * * *). It also caters to the needs of all social and economic groups in the United States, from the mature middle class to new immigrants. Basically, anyone who buys a ticket will spend 25 cents 1.5 dollars.

Although there are luxury theaters in Broadway and other prime locations in Manhattan that can accommodate thousands of people, vaudeville is booming in cities of all sizes in the United States. Performers will "tour" between cities, usually starting from new york, gradually moving to the west coast, and then returning. Some performances will also go to Britain, continental Europe, Australia and South Africa, where juggling (sometimes called "juggling") is also very popular.

The author of Traff S.D, a vaudeville historian, thinks that Tang's ability to speak German may be one of his charms, considering that there were a large number of German immigrants in new york at that time. He told the Smithsonian, "I won't be shocked when I hear that many German-Americans go to see their fellow dogs out of pure patriotism and nostalgia and say a few words in their mother tongue." 19 12 at the invitation of William Hammerstein, head of the vaudeville troupe and propaganda genius,

Don came to America. Hammerstein hyped Tang's behavior during his visit and offered a deposit of 50,000 US dollars (more than today's 6.5438+0.25 million US dollars) to prevent the dog from dying between London and new york; It is reported that Lloyd's of London refused to insure him. This makes Tang the most valuable dog in the world.

"Don will sail on the Clone Plinz William next Wednesday." "In order to ensure his safety, we arranged a special cabin."

When Tang's ship docked, he was as popular as other visiting celebrities, and the reporters on board hoped to get some vivid quotations. Unfortunately, as a reporter from new york World News Evening News said, Tang "got seasick on the way here and couldn't talk to anyone. So far, his views on the new york skyline and other local landscapes are unknown. (Timed America/LOC)1918 May 2003 San Francisco Call Feature Title (Timed America/LOC)19165438 April 9 Omaha Daily Bees. (Timekeeping USA /LOC)

Tang will stay in the United States for the next two years, first appearing in Thailand, Hammers, which can be seen or heard on YouTube.

But no dog, no matter how talented its voice is, can attract the imagination of the American public like Tang. If there is a dog, it is a top dog.