The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-18
A PROFESSIONAL CAT-WASHER
Miss Virginia Smiths Pleasant and
Profitable Business.


She is a young girl, not yet IS, and
gave the following account of herself:
You won't have any trouble about
spelling my name, it's Smith Virginia
Smith. have always been especially
fond OF cats, and had a lot of 'em as
pets since 1 was a baby. My mother
died ten years ago, and my father
died last year. 1 being the Oldest, there
are two younger than me, and there
being no money to fall back on, knew
L had to earn a living or starye I
started out to hunt work in an office,
tramped for a week without getting
SO much as promise, SO you may
guess how discouraged 1 was when
Sunday came. But as there was
nothing else to do / took nv two
younger sisters-one is 10 and the other
IL years old, for walk in the park
During our walk we saw a cat being
taken for an airing in a doll carriage
by stylishly dressed maid. 1t was a
line Angora, but about the dirtiest
white cat l ever saw. It. hadn't been
very well it seems, and not being
allowed out of doors to roll on the
grass had no means of keeping itself
clean. / knew at once what was the
matter and said to the girl:
Why don't you wash that cat? 1t
would get well very much quicker and
be a different looking ANIMAL
She said the cat fought so that no
one dared tub it. Well 1 had a little
chat with the girl while | was petting
pussy, and learned the name and ad-
dress of her mistress. The next morn
ing bright and early / rang that door
Dell and sent up my card to the mis-
tress. When she came down l explained
my circumstances and asked permission
to wash the cat She was astonished.
but she granted my request and paid
me we'll for it.
That was the beginning; now 1 have
as many engagements as l can attend
to. [ go, to the homes of my clients
call them, and give them a bath and
rubbing down once every two weeks.
That is often enough for healthy cat.
L know 1t is generally believed that cats
keep themselves clean but it is like a
great many other things generally be-
heVed, 1t is mistake, for there is the
greatest difference in the world be-
tween the fur of a cat allowed to care
Tor its own coat, and one receiving the
proper attention. 1t is longer, finer,
more glossy and ten times more soft.
Il always use three waters, in a yes
sci plenty large enough to immerse the
cat, all three baths comfortably warm
In the first water 1 put a few drops of
ammonia, then taking the cat in my lap
ON my rubber apron thoroughly soap
her all over with any good soap. Then /
| put her in the water and give her
bath number one. From this [ give
her rinsings in two clear baths, the
water of both about the same tempera
ture as the first. If she is strong l rub !
her dry, pet her a little and turn her
loose. But if she is delicate or quite /
young L not only rub her dry, but give
her a saucer of warm milk, and then
pet her in her basket and cover her up I
for a nap. Of course since taking this
up as means of earning my own and .
my sisters living 1 have Informed my I
self thoroughly on the subject that
S. have learned all about cats, their
habits and their ailments, so whenever
have a sick cat or puny cat they
don't have to so to a doctor.
Perhaps you will be interested to
know that at the recent cat show,
very New York cat, with one excep-
ion, that received a prize or honorable
mention was a client Of mine"
LAFAYETTE MLAWS