Squirrels, rats, and alligators: A glance at pets of the past

Pets have enjoyed a special place in people’s lives for much of recorded history. From run-of-the-mill to outlandish, animals have formed a large part of Jefferson County’s history as well. Some of the county’s pets were predictable. For example, bird dogs abounded as local lands began to be transformed into quail plantations and hunting preserves in the twentieth century. A particularly fine specimen of this type of pet could be found in downtown Monticello at the B & B Café during the 1920s. If you were looking for somewhere local to have a fish dinner, the B & B Café was the place to be. They offered fresh oysters as well as “regular dinners” each day. When dining th