From The DDY Digs Desk:

On Sundays, we like to dig around for fun stuff. We have a ball! (Literally.)

Earlier this week, a post on Dogtipper.com about the July 27 release of the “Owney the Postal Dog” Forever stamp caught our eye. Well, we’ve just spent a very enjoyable hour reading the legendary tales of Owney’s adventures as the mascot (and guardian!) of the mail service in the 1890s and we are totally digging the terrier mix who traveled the U.S. by train and even made a trip around the world by mail steamer!

Owney loved mail bags. He didn't like posing for photos but would allow it if he had some mail bags to sit on! Image via Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

To celebrate the release of Owney’s stamp, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, where Owney is actually on display, spruced up its documented history of his life and work with the short video above, a new article, “The Post Office’s Best Friend: Owney the Mail Dog,” here, details on Owney’s impressive tag collection here and blog posts here on Owney’s recent makeover. (Yes, he has had some work done.) Also, Owney is now on Facebook! Find his page here.

The Smithsonian National Postal Museum is also currently holding an “Owney Look-Alive Contest,” which is focused more on the spirit of this cool dog than his actual appearance:

“Pitt Bulls May Apply
Don’t worry if your dog doesn’t physically resemble Owney, that’s just one of the qualities we’re looking for. We’re also seeking dogs that embody what we like to call the “Owney spirit.” Your dog could qualify if he’s adventurous, loves to travel, makes friends wherever he goes or was adopted like Owney was by the railway mail clerks. Or maybe your dog has a job like Owney did, helping the clerks protect and deliver the mail.”

Find details on how to enter the contest and the awesome prizes here.

"The only known photograph of Owney in a Railway Mail Service train car." Image via Smithsonian National Postal Museum.