Ernestine Aschner’s pug-dog “Toby”, ca. 1895, v1992.40.6; Fred Hoyt family research collection, ARC.043; Brooklyn Historical Society.Though this cabinet card dates back to the late 19th century, the image possesses a timeless quirkiness. From the Fred Hoyt family research collection, the photograph shows the pet “pug-dog” of Ernestine Aschner (a German immigrant to Brooklyn and aunt of Fred Hoyt), poised in a decorative chair with a doll companion. Even today, pugs--and their owners--seem to have a certain precocious quality…