Anastasia with her dog, Pooka in the 1997 animated film Anastasia vs the real Grand Duchess Anastasia with her dog, Jimmy in 1917
There were very few instances of historical accuracy in the 20th Century Fox film; however, Anastasia’s love of animals was something both the real and fictional girls shared. The real Anastasia, born Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia in 1901, was known for being a vivacious spirit. She played pranks, made her loved ones laugh, and was devoted to her pets. Everyone in the Romanov family had their own pet and Anastasia’s was her beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Jimmy. She’d had dogs before Jimmy, had loved her little puppy, Shvybvik, and doted on her sister, Olga’s cat but Jimmy was special. He loved her fiercely and she loved him the same.
Jimmy, along with two other family dogs (Grand Duchess Tatiana’s, Ortipo and Tsarevich Alexei’s, Joy) followed the family into their initial house arrest and subsequent move and imprisonment. After the revolution broke out, the Romanov family was forced to give up their throne and were placed under house arrest. They were then moved to a secret location, a house in the Siberian city of Ekaterinburg where, in July of 1918, the Romanov family was murdered. The family was sent down to the basement where they waited for some time before their death sentence was read. Before they had time to react, a group of men opened fire on the Tsar, his wife, their four daughters, son, their court physician, chambermaid, cook, and valet. While the Tsar and his wife died quickly, the rest of the prisoners died a rather slow, painful death as they had to be finished off with bayonets and shots to the head.
The three pets had followed the Romanovs into their execution chamber that night and only one survived. Alexei’s dog, Joy, managed to escape. She was eventually found by friends of the family and ended up in the UK where she spent the rest of her days. Jimmy died that night with Anastasia and his dead body was found on the pavement outside.
Now we are going to church. The weather is wonderful now, the sun shines so nicely. Yesterday Mama’s train arrived with the wounded. I wish I were with you! I will finish this letter later as I will be late for church. Well, we just got back from our infirmary. 11 lower ranks arrived there. This one poor young officer, who was injured in the head and therefore cannot speak and can barely hear. I got a letter from a soldier. We went to Glindeman’s wedding, he is from the 3rd Sharpshooter regiment. His current wife is sweet and very young. Their wedding took place at the Palace lower church. Of course there was some confusion prior to it, because no one knew where it will take place, and poor Glindeman ran around and did not know what to do.
Right now we will have tea, but Mama and Olga and Tatiana have not returned from the Grand Palace yet. They have been there for over an hour already. Regards to Nikolai Pavlovich and to Mordvinov too. Vachnadze can walk already, he is a nizhegorodetz. Well, I think I told you everything we did. Kiss to Aunt Olga. Goodbye, Papa darling. I give you a big kiss, your loving daughter
Nastasia Shvybzik ANRPKZSG May the Lord be with you! Sleep well and see me in your dreams.”
- Anastasia Nikolaevna to Nicholas II, 25th January/7th February 1915
Huge thanks to you, my precious Papa Darling for the picture and the very appetising egg. I wish you all the very very best. I also thank you for the flowers which we got yesterday, I love them so much, they are called ‘prosurenchiki’. I miss you so terribly much, that you are not here with us, but at least those who are with you must bee very happy to have you near them. Regards to all. I give you a terribly big triple kiss, and many little ones to your hand and cheek and everywhere. Your loving loyal and faithful always and everywhere.
Kaspiyitz.
May God keep you.”
- Anastasia Nikolaevna to Nicholas II, 9th/22nd April 1916
Emperor Nicholas II with his children: Grand Duchesses Tatiana, Olga, Maria, Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alexei, and with sons of his sister Grand Duchess Xenia: Princes Rostislav, Dmitry, Feodor, and Vasili*, ca.1914.
*I’m not very good with recognizing Xenia’s sons so please let me know if I made a mistake.
Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia with her daughters Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia of Russia, visiting wounded soldiers, 1915-1916.
Grand Duchesses Marie and Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov and their younger brother Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov push their young cousin Georg Donatus. This was taken at a big family get-together at Wolfsgarten. 1910
