The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-10-18
DOGS.

montgomery, IeXhh -uear Haphammcr:
When | wrote hoicitng entrance To your
circle. and thus to close companionship
with you. young folks, there was an error.
either OF my making or a typographical
one, making me say Il win tell you OF my
dogs soon" Why. bless you, children,
have no dog at all. only u very great de-
sire to have. all my own. 81, Bernard.
which longing ! hope 10 crafty some day.
You know the origin OF dogs Is siill II Gucs-
ton OF discussion. there is sufficient evil
dence to show that dogs existed In the do
mesticated state during prehistoric times:
consequently. neither history or tradition
~ available to solve the question OF their
origin. The habit of barking, 30 Character
istic of dogs, Is not, however, universal
among them. The domestic dogs OF Guinea
aud certain Mexican breeds are described
as dumb Dogs are naturally carnivorous.
though they live and thrive on vegetable
food. and In countries where the dog Itself
is eaten twhcre are those couutriesY II IL
generally thus fed. In drinking 1t laps
with its tongue; II mover perspires. al
though when heated it's tongue hangs from
It's mouth and a fluid runs from H.
There are few human passions not
shared in by the dog It Is, like man.
subject to anger Jealousy, envy,
love. hatred and grief II shows gratitude
and generosity, fear and Pride. II remem-
hers aud is evidently assisted thereto, ny
mn association Of ideas. The earliest record
Of the dog IN sacred history Is IN conner-
ton with the sojourn OF tho lsraelites In
Egypt. By both Greeks and Romans they
were employed In war and for that purpose
we're armed with spiked collars aud soma
time even coat Of mail. Corinth was SAID
to have been saved by fifty war dogs. which
attacked the enemy that had landed while
the garrison slept. ana ~h'cn fought WIN
unDohat,l courage. I'll all we're hi'iei ex-
cept ono, who succeeded In rous'ns tho
garrison. -.
Professor Fitzinger says There are 1so
distinct varieties OF the domestic dog, ana
he classes them into six rlces. woltdogs.
preyhounds, spaniels, hounds. mastiffs aud
terriers. I viii write only of the wolf
dog or esquimaux and the shepherd. as
they come under the saiae head, and nc
some future time we Will talk of the re-
ma!ning races.
The esquimaux or wo'fdog. Is usually ct
black and white color, nearly as large
as mastff, with a bushy tail. and
rointed muzzle. They are used AS beasts
of burden and 20 draw sledges over the
snow. Kane, the Arctic traveller. tells how
twelve dogs. well worn by previous travel
carried him with fully burdened sledge
between ZOO and goo miles, during the first
fortnight. after leaving the ship. about
the rate u fifty seven miles
day. Their owners are univer-
sally unkind TO them consequently
they are quoted az devoid OF affection. Do
you NoudeI. lb cruelty lhbie W ueNciob
or encourage affection In either man or
beast7 The sheep dog of Europe Is cassed
among the wolf-like dogs. owing to their
erect ears. pointed nose and shaggy COW
ering. The fact taat its life is spent all
most entirely out of doors. with little OPP
portunity OF minglng with other dogs
has enabled It to preserve Its marked char
acteristic more perfectly than any breed
OF dogs. Without 1t the Highlands OF
Scotland would be almost useless for
sheep farming purposes. 1T would re-
quire," says Ettrich Shepherd. more hands
to manage a flock Of sheep. gather them
from the hills. force them Into houses and
folds and drive them to market than the
profits OF tho entire stock would be cap
able of maintaining" noticed some time
ago Of the experiment the Germans were
making OF using dogs for purposes OF war
and was surprised TO see stated that the
shepherd was not thought very highly OF
on account OF its want a affection or con-
stancy. Why. my boy has had a shepherd
for four years and his devotion and cons
stancy can't he surpassed When the
boy" and leave home be whines for u.
wanders from room to roam and 10 over
joyed at our return So Of course caet
my vote for the shepherd, for ~ q uaeen1,
patient. affsctionats. constant ara s1a1tes
0sthss lovely" Lucy Istoa Hoe1toh