Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-30
Canine Uppertendom.
How THE Doe OF THE PERIoD GETS BIS
SHAMPOO AND BATH.

The fact has often been recognized by
tourists that New York is fast becoming a
modern Capua. All the luxuries of the South
and the East are found within its limits; one
can battle more agreeably than in Turkey, eat
az daintily as in Paris, dress as well as in
Vienna, and, within hundred miles of the
metropolis, have in the season as good sleigh
ing as one can get in the outskirts OF 81.
Petersburg. But it is less generally known
that even mans four-footed friends fare better
here than anywhere else on the face of the
globe. The general treatment of the horse
is far more kindly than in the Old World !:
| except the stables of royalty. there are none
that can be compared with those of several
American millionaires, and now the dog IL
coming to the front and advancing claims to
comforts and superfuities that would maxi
all bnt dog owners smile. The high toned
CANNES OF the metropolis do not yet possess
a Hannah of their own, but this will come
in time. They have, however, bathing
place specially devoted to them, and for the
aristocratic poodles and colies that shun the
contact of the dogs that have no ancestors,
there are skilled employees who call upon
uppertendom and look after the residents
weekly or fortnightly, as master or mistress
may elect.
Beyond sign announcing that ''dogs are
washed and 9roomed at small expense" there
is nothing in the external character of the
place where the operations referred to are
carried on to indicate its purpose. lie is stu
ated, however, in the direct vicinity OF the
uptown theatres, and The crowds that pass
1t daily have long ago become enlight-
ened as to what is done within.
The visitor passes through a deep shop, de-
scends flight of stairs, and enters large
and well lighted basement At one extremity
is a small raised platform, and upon this
stands a medium sized zine bath tub which
glitters as if it were lined with silver The
critical observer might suggest that what is
known in Paris as fond de balm, consisting
of linen lining fitting the tub, would be a
valuable addition TO the apparatus, and when
Partisan dogs are in the maj GRITTY they will
doubtless get it. Meanwhile there is an
abundance Of spotless linen scattered over the
platform in shape of towels. plain and Turk
ish, besides combs, English hair brushes, and
pots Of oils and perfumes. The operation of
washing a dog. drying, and grooming him &C.
cupies from Is minutes to an hour or more,
aud it costs from so to Is cents. The dog is
placed in the tub, which has been half filled
with cold or lukewarm water tinged with n
fragrant compound which is used, they say,
for washing sheep in Australia. Then he is
soaped until he presents the lathery and
scared appearance of pug-nosed man in the
hands of a shampoeer. rinsed, rubbed dry,
and finally combed, brushed. and anointed
with choice scent. Occasionally uneven coats
require clipping. Some gs, indeed, are
clipped twice and thrice during the summer
season But bathing and grooming are the
specialties of the establishment
The habitues of the place are, as is the
case with mankind, of different dispositions.
An aged and hideous French poodle of large
dime nsions aud appalling ugliness. who re-
quires three baths week to be presentable,
walks up to the tub and jumps into it with
evident satisfaction. A genuine bulldog has
to be carried into the receptacle and muzzled
and held fast while the operation is In pro
gress. The affectiOnate and delicate little
Yorkshire and Skyes put on an air of resig-
nation, and the pugs submit Supply to the
bather's manipulation. Some owners bring
their dogs once a week to be washed; occa-
sionallv a lady shopping leaves hrr pet and
returns from her tour to find it sleeker and
glossier than ever From three to dozen
DOGS are thus washed daily. But the bulk OF
the business is transacted by visiting EN-
ployes These wear uniform cap and carry
a small valise with the utensils and perfumes
| required for the operation, the opulent dog
having generally bathrooms of their own. In
Brooklyn every Saturday one of the opera
tors has Is residents to visit. 1t may be
worth mentioning that this particular official
is an admirable French scholar, whose en-
gagement was made imperative presumably
by the increased foreign element in the quad
rupedal population Of the city, Y. Times