Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-09-10
PECULIAR PEOPLES PETS.


Many Strange Fancies-A Monkey
that Wore sPectarEes.
''What sorts Of people care most for
pet animalsa" asked New York Sun re-
porter Of dealer.
''Such variety Of persons like pets, =
said he, eand they like then in SO many
ways and for SO many reasons, that it is
hard to say which ones have the call.
Perhaps it's the good hearted people,
and then perhaps it isn't. The biggest
price lever got for cat was $50, and
that was from a man who would feel
sore about giving thirty cents to blood
relation. He was widower. One morn
ing be came in here to collect bill, and
fine Maltese of mine kaps rubbing
against his leg. The widower made be-
lieve not to notice the cat, but at last be
looked up to me quite suddenly and said,
I suppose man has got to love some
thing He said it as though it was a
sort Of hardship. Then he paid the price
without grumbling.
''Tbe wisest old chap that ever came
into this store bought a terrier for a
grandson of his who was sort of an in
valid.
My graudson's mighty irritable, y
said the old gentleman, 'and he is hard
to live with, but if he gets interested in
this pup, he's going to get we'll And
sure enough he did get well. have had
quite number of customers among peo-
pie in poor health. They we're mostly
ladies' Some women take to pets be-
cause they think no one else will care for
them, or because they have been disaP-
pointed in love and want to care for
something that will show affection.
"There is one curious difference be-
tween men and women about pets. A
man will sometimes sell one when it gets
sick, but woman will hold on to ii
until it gets well or dies. Women that
have the genuine love for pet animals,
seem to care all the more for pets that
are sick. / have often sold them sick
pets that they would not have fancied
had the animals been well. A woman
came here for pug last winter, when |
had advertised some very fine ones, but
she concluded to take spaniel that
looked as though he wouldn't live a
week. The dog got well and became
the most affectionate animal I ever saw.
II am co,dly distant to anything in
the shape Of watchdog. ] couldn't
sell Watchdog if allowed him to show
too much familiarity on short acquain-
tance. Dogs intended to sell for pets
must De kept just on the ragged edge
Of affection, as it were. If they show
too much love for the dealer, some ladies
won't want them. l have had tender
hearted lady remark that she wouldn't
take dog of mine because it would be
cruel to part US. Of course, circum-
stance Of that kind Injuries dealers
business.
ssArtists prefer cats to other pet ami
mails, and they are frst-rate judges. A
large, finely marked tortoise-sheA suits
them well. took in $40 from an artist
one day for superbly marked mottled
gray. 1t had what we call the night and
day stain. Artists 60 strong on having
a graceful cat. Now, all cats are grace
full, but some have more of an easy
movement than others, and some have
more style. There are lots Of people who
think it makes things look comfortable
to have a large cat around. Some Of my
biggest tabbies have been sold to people
who cared more about getting cheer
ful effect in their rooms than they die
for cats.
"Dogs do not seem to be in favor witt
musicians. A violinist once told me ht
couldn't keep them because their bark
ing grated on his ear. But musicians
don't seem to care for singing birds any
more than for dogs, and there is belle
jn he trade that the only pet that goei
~ with musicians is a monkey
monkeys and parrots are not genuine
pets; they are curiosities. Ihaye know
monkeys to show great fondness for eacl
other, but they do not care for human
beings. A lady customer Of mine ha
three Of them. She says that none o
them has shown any affection for her
She likes them partly because the,
amuse her, and partly for queer ide
she mas. She said she couldn't love /
pet that returned her affection.
NPeople learn to dislike pets fron
queer causes. A woman came here t
swap off pet terrier because he barkeC
one day when she took off her wig
Another woman gave me back monke
at half-price because, she said, he mad
faces behind her back--she saw him i
the glass. told her that monkeys ha'
habit Of making faces, and that it wa
necessary to their nature. And 50 it is
I've seen them 60 into corner ant
make the most outrageous faces, withou
any apparent cause. But the old lad
declared that it was disrespectful.