Grand Duchess Maria and Grand Duchess Anastasia holding ‘Shvybzik’, 1915.
Shvybzik was a Pomeranian who belonged to Nicholas II's family. He is first mentioned in their letters at the beginning of 1915. When I first come across this mention, I was very confused as 'Shvybzik' is also one of Anastasia's frequently used nicknames (contrary to popular belief, Shvybzik does not mean Imp in Russian).
“I am now sitting near Mama, at her feet lies Shvybzik. [...] The little Shvybzik just made a 'governor' on Mama's carpet, and Anastasia is now training him.”
- Maria to Nicholas II, 5th April 1915
“Right now there is a big commotion. Ortipo [Tatiana's dog] is scampering around the room, while little Shvybzik is squealing.”
- Grand Duchess Olga to Nicholas, 11th
“Shvybzik was there of course. Viktor Erastovich thinks Shvybzik would make a very good diver.”
- Anastasia to Nicholas, 12th April
“I put Shvybzik on my lap, but he wished to be on the floor. [...] Mama is sending Anastasia to bed, while she is in despair [because she] cannot find Shvybzik who is missing in action, everyone is shouting and calling him but he does not come, the bastard. Finally we found him after 10 minutes, we were all looking for him under the sofas. Finally Mama decided to bark and Shvybzik barked in response, and it turned out that he was sitting under the couch at Mama's, and he was pulled out with a joint effort.”
- Maria to Nicholas, 18th
“Alexei came to our bedroom, and now he is lying on my bed with Anastasia and Shvybzik. [...] Shvybzik is squealing, probably he wants to see the Governor-General. He has already done that, and Anastasia ran in with the little shovel from the fireplace and picked it up.”
Shvybzik died in 1915, I have not yet found a specific date but after April mentions of him seem to stop. On the 14th June Anastasia wrote: "I miss dear Shvybzik.”
