The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-08-15
PAsCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI, FRIDAY, AUGUST 1879.
The Dog.

| Editor Denlocrat-Star:
'Tis sweet to hear the honest watch dogs
bark
Bay deep-mouthed welcome, as we draw
uear home;
Tis sweet to know there is an eye will
mark
Our coming, look brighter when we come.
Will you permit me to occupy a
small space in your columns upon
the subject, land in defense of what
seems to be to you an object of un-
conquerable aversion-I mean the
much abused dog. When | say
dog, / do not include the diminu-
tive specimens of the genus with
which your town and Moss Point
are over.run, and which are a
nuisance of the most Objectionable
type, fit only to annoy during the
day, and make night hideous with
their yells; aud which, in common
with the CANNES belonging to the
geaus homo, the only difference be-
tween which is the number of legs,
ought to be exterminated, root and
branch. But why should the whole
race be condemned because we oc-
casionally meet cur of low de-
gree" or a suck.egg hound in our
travels, who depredate upon the
focks and barn-yards of our neigh
borsg Should the innocent be alike
condemned with the wicked, and a
whole race of animals destroyed
for the transgressions of few 2
This were but partial justice in
deed; and the destruction of the
race in this county would be
synonymous with the destruction
of stock farming and sheep raising
to very great extent, for without
the dog those animals so destruc-
tive to the young, particularly of
the sheep and hog, would soon be-
come so numerous that scarce one
would be saved. Wild cats and
foxes 1--WE have no wolves now,
thanks to the introduction of the
hound) would increase with incred-
table rapidity, and would soon be-
come so destructive that scarcely a
lamb or pig would be raised at |
all on account of the coon, opossum
and the mink. We could not dis
pense with the service of our dog,
nor would we be willing to be de
prived of mans best friend, one on
whom he can rely under all and
every circumstance, who .clings to
him when friends and kindred for
get or ignore the ties and obliga
tions which should make them
faithful unto death; guarding his
property and person often at the
risk and sacrifice of his life-ever
never betrayiug the trust
imposed upon him by night or day
true, obedient and reliable at all
lines, whether as guardian or
'riend. There is no instance on re-
,crd where he has betrayed his
rust except in Byron's darkness. L
quote from memory and may not be
correct:
Even dogs assail their masters, all save
one, and he faithful TO corse;
md kept the birds and beasts and famished
men at bay till hunger elung them, or
the dropping dead lured their lank I
jaws. .-.
himself sought ont no food, but with per
petual moan, and quick, tlesolate cry
licking the hand which answered not
with a caress he died."
My article is becoming too
though a 1.-THE of what
nay be said or written on this sub
,ct is not reached, but ''what is
'rit is writ" would it were
vorthier. 1t may bring some !
bier pens to his defense than
line, and be the means whereby
Q may be saved from general con
ompt and soorn; if SO my object
! attained. -....... t
| am respectfully, j.
Beat No. 9. {