Charming newspaper images of chows and their owners are rarely found in such beautiful condition. Newsprint bleeds or darkens over time. Many times only the dog or owner will be visible.  This clipping from a Los Angeles newspaper tells one of the earliest Chinese chow imports to the west coast being exhibited  in Southern California.  This is what the Chow breed looked like a little over 100 years ago as it came from it’s homeland. 

  This is just my guess that the other 20 chows that traveled with Puyi may have either perished from disease or the bamboo trick (CLICK HERE)  which I am finding in my research was used enough times to be extremely frustrating and absolutely heartbreaking to all involved on the importing end.