More than a Pet

Archaeology Southwest Magazine Vol. 37, No. 2, “More than a Pet: Exploring Canine Cultural Histories in North America” is on press and soon headed to mailboxes and our online bookstore. Guest editor R. E. Burrillo and editor-in-chief Kate Sarther share some background on how the issue came together.

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Kate Sarther and R. E. Burrillo

Audio version of “More than a Pet,” written and read by Kate Sarther and R. E. Burrillo.

(January 16, 2026)—In 2023, when now-president-emeritus Bill Doelle asked us to revisit and update an Archaeology Southwest Magazine issue on dogs, we decided to throw him a bone.

Actually, we were pleased, because we’re friends who enjoy working together, and because we knew how well the earlier edition—“Dogs in the Southwest” (2008), edited by Alan Ferg and Tobi Lopez Taylor—was received.  (We’re also a pair of animal lovers, although R. E. mostly has cats rather than dogs, owing to a rambunctious lifestyle. But his favorite wild animals are wolves and coyotes, so it all kinda balances out.)

Easy-peasy, we thought. A wonderfully engaging subject, an expert, a public-talk series to serve as a companion program, what could go wrong?

Lots of things, as it turns out. Who knew wrangling authors to write about dogs would be so much like trying to herd cats? But we persevered and are really proud, at last, to share this edition with all of you. We can’t thank our contributors enough for their excellent essays (and their patience).

This edition, focused on canine culture history in North America, is more wide-ranging than comprehensive—which we hope makes it more fun, leads you down some terrier-research rabbit holes of your own, and gives you some nifty trivia to share in social situations. If you’re like that. (We certainly are.)

One unintended theme we want to highlight here is dogs as field companions. Several authors write about this explicitly, and almost all images of contemporary dogs in this issue are from archaeologists, other outdoor scientists, and folks who spend a lot of time out on the land. Writer Morgan Sjogren shares historical images of explorers/wanderers and their dogs. Our current president and CEO Steve Nash shares a historical image of mid-20th-century Field Museum archaeologist Paul Sidney Martin, who was known to smuggle his dogs onto the Super Chief passenger train so they could join him for field work in New Mexico!

Not surprisingly, Archaeology Southwest has always been a dog-friendly workplace. When archaeologist Jim Vint had a workspace in our complex, he always brought his besties. Kate’s dog Bernard was so adored that he was gifted a “Security” t-shirt he wore to help staff our table at the Pecos Conference, as well as a special collar with necktie and an official Preservation Archaeology K-9 name badge. (Retired Deputy Director Linda Pierce even knitted him a sweater.)

Bill Doelle’s late, beloved beagle/possible harrier Snoop Dog didn’t make office appearances, but we all knew he was Bill’s constant companion otherwise. We loved stories and pictures from their weekend adventures.

In more recent years, we’ve welcomed Aaron Wright’s friend Big Boy, a massive Aussie who has since relocated to New England. Kate’s scrappy little terrier mix Steve Nicks comes to prance around the place occasionally. Ghost, an all-white Siberian Husky, goes back and forth between Iowa and Tucson to see his “mom,” Sara Anderson. One lucky week, Steve’s dog Ella was in town from Denver! She’s experienced with field work in Reserve, New Mexico.

What’s astonishing is how much Ella looks like our current coworker and office therapist, Oscar! This explains why Oscar is Steve’s special buddy, although his actual “dad” is cyberSW manager Josh Watts. There is nothing like stroking Oscar’s silky ears at internal meetings or the joy in his eyes when you sneak him a treat! He’s one of those dogs that actually smiles at you. He’s so mellow, your blood pressure can’t help but lower itself. He now has his own official Archaeology Southwest K-9 badge.

You’ll be “meeting” Oscar in this space next week—stay tuned!

We hope you and your canine companions enjoy this edition of the magazine. Let us know your comments.