Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-04
IN 4 PET DOGS HOTEL.
WHERE FASHIONABLE ABsENTEEs
BOARD THEIR FAVoRITEs.
Aristocratic Pugs and siiky-Coated Ter
riers, Whose Board Costs as Much
as Baby's-Bill of Fare.

.'Oh, Mr.. Dovey, Mrs. Dasher is going
away on Monday, and she wishes you
would send around for Tommy and Nip
and the two poodles. She won't be back
in town till September" And the buxom
servant maid, after delivering her message,
whisked out of the door again, while the
quiet looking man in the office made an
entry in little book. 1t was one of those
institutions which one finds in New York,
and nowhere else on this continent-a
dogs hotel. With boarders enough, en-
bracing almost every species and variety OF
canine, yet there was not the slightest
sound to be heard indicating the existence
of four-footed colony in the immediate
nelghborhood.
dogs are like men, in one respect, at
least" remarked Benjamin g. Dovey, the
proprietor of this unique establishment.
''There are gentlemen dogs and there are
ours that are wholly unfit to associate with.
| wouldn't have an ill-bred dog in the
place. All my patrons are of the best
people in town, and their dogs are in most
cases very valuable, high bred and intelli-
gent. Some of them are worth many hun
dreds of dollars, but here they all get the
same treatment, except, of course, when
they are sick and need to be sent to the
hospital"
"And where is the hospital?"
"Right here on the premises You see,
this is a little self-contained colony, very
exclusive, and having within itself all that
it requires practically for its own needs.
My boarders, who pay from 81 to SIS per
month, have their amusements and their
relaxations, Just as human folks do, and
they have their duties to perform also.
The strictest attention is paid to regimen
and dietary. 1t is surprising how few peo-
pie among dog owners really know how to
treat their animals so as to keep them in
good health. Will you walk through the
hotel?"
And, opening door, he led the way to
a large court-like inclosure, on ali four
sides of which were ranged willow cages,
stout enough, yet light and clean looking.
In some of these were dogs lying at ease
in their cool, roomy quarters, and resting
contentedly with one eye open. Disposed
about the room were several larger dogs,
also TRANQUILITY resting. One fine looking
st. Bernard raised his shaggy head as the
writer entered, but the only demonstration
was made from Skye terrier--a little
wisp of thing, all hair and eyes-which
barked a welcome in a shrill falsetto yelp.
"These are few of my boarders," said
the dog boniface, "and | will back them for
behavior against any hotel In town. You
see, they miss here all the various little
annoyances that make canine life burden
in midsummer, and they know enough to
appreciate it. Some of them have been
with me every summer for years, and they
recognize the place and always seem de-
lighted to return.
''Those fine Blenheim spaniels over
there" he continued, "are owned by S. l..
NJ. Barlow, the famous lawyer and long
time associate of of Mr. 1ilden. They are
very doeile little things. When they came
they were, like most other pets, suffering
from overfeeding and too much kindness.
Look at them now. Did you ever see any
prettier skins? Just see how their mild
little eyes sparkle with good humor. They
are among the favorites this summer, and
they deserve to be, for the Blenheip is a
most intelligent little chap, and loves his
master or mistress dearly. Those poodles
over there belong to Mrs +. d. Tuck, the
wife of rich banker. They are French
dogs and can be taught some very clever
tricks, if one cares to spend the time on
them. Mrs. Anson p Stokes owns the
pair of cunning little terriers to the left.
See those pugs and the poodles alongside? I?
They belong to the wife of the proprietor of
| the Hoffman House, Mrs. Edward S.
+pl- ha =. ,1f
| always sends them here in summer to
board. They're cute little fellows. She
is one Of the few ladies who really know
how TO take care of a dog and not to let
him run down from improper feeding,
That dachshund there belongs to Mrs.
General Mcclellan. 1t is German
hound of a variety very rare in this coun-
try.
"The most popular dog? Well, on the
whole, fancy the Skye terrier is The favor
ite Just now He's such a lively little
chap, and is easily handled, you sec. He
snaps viciously just for fun but he's as
good-natured as can be, in proper hands.
Besides, the te..ier is easily kept in good
condition. Some dogs are exceedingly
delicate but he is such an active chap
that its difficult to get him out of sorts.
A good Skye will cost all the way from $40
to SI00."
Passing through to large, shady open
court We came upon number of dogs.
Some of the smaller animals were froiick-
ing about noiselessly, like kittens on the
grass; others lay stretched full length,
enjoying the cool sensation of contact with
the turf; their limbs tense, their noses
shifting the breeze, and their eyes blinking
gently skyward.
This is the recreation ground" said
| the hotel keeper. "Here the boarders
take all the exercise they need. Two at
teDdants are constantly on guard, as you
| see, and they are never left alone, day or
| night, for a moment. Both men are ex-
perienced in dog lore and know perfectly
how TO control the animals"
Do they never have any fghts?"
Never. 1t would not be permitted.
If dog shows iIl-temper, you may
depend upon it he needs the
hospital more than anything else
| here; because there is nothing here to ex-
cite temper. Their lives are made as
smooth and quiet as possible. would
not have a cur in the place; he would
| demoralize the rest and destroy the har-
mony of the house. As it is, the inmates
of both sexes are perfectly we'll behaved,
and rarely fall at cross purposes.
Bulldogs? Why, no; they are among
the quietest dogs of all. 1t is popular
mistake to imagine that bulldog is
vicious brute naturally. Your real vicious
fellow is generally cross-bred cur, worth
less, and coward TO boot, but bully at
opportunity. Ihave two or three imported
bull terriers here now, and hardly know
they are iii the place, they are so quiet.
Some dogs are very gay, and make it
amusing for their neighbors. There's
Oscar Wilde over there; that's Miss
Frerchs French poodle He's a beauty,
| isn't he? He's the exquisite of the estab-
lishment just at present, and has rather
taken the shine off Rose Coghlan's pretty
black-and-tan, that thoroughbred little
fellow over by your left. That Skye also
belongs to Miss Coghlan. We have her
| dogs here almost every summer, and when
ever she goes out of town and cannot take
them with her. For twenty-five years
| Lester Wallack sent his terriers and col
lies here. He was great lover of good
| dog, and so, by thc way, is Clara Morris,
| who sands bay fa,, farr,ars a,l 10, Ci-xo