The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-03
DELIGHT FANCIERS.
LeOnldas Troupe Of Dogs Attracting
General Attention.
Morning Visit 10 Their Temporary Quarters
at Kelth's Theatre. -,

The handsome animals, which COM
prise the famous Leonidas troupe, are
OF all sizes, conditions and colors; but
they include many noble specimens of
canine arsitocracy and several for
which princely sums have been offered
and refused. This is not surprising.
for in addition to the heritage OF birth
and breeding common 10 all dogs of
high degree. or pedigree, they possess
the added distinction OF being "educat-
ed" for the word trained" seems
hardly adequate TO describe the Won
ders that have been accomplished with
these remarkable brutes.
From the ponderous, grim looking
Great Danes and the shaggy, handsome
ST. Bernards, down TO the Spaniels,
and still further down to the little Chi
nese dog, with Drown skin and hair so
short that she appears to have been
shaved. they attract the attention not
only of experts in doGolOgy, but ladies
and especially children turn 10 admire
as they trot along. while scores of men
and boys follow them during their air
ing; but no king ever received homage
and admiration with such evident hui
these princes of royal canine blood and
marvels OF animal intelligence.
Down in the mysterious depths be-
meath the stage of Keith's theater, the
writer went this morning to interview
the educated visitors, just after they
had returned from their morning con-
stitutional. and there was no need of
directions to their temporary abode. for
such a roaring and barking and yelp-
ing has not before greeted his ears.
even at a dog show, while mingled with
their voices could plainly be heard the
meaows of a score of cats OF equal va
riety OF color. size and breeding.
What is the matter with them?"
innocently inquired the writer of an at
tendant
"Oh, nothing, only you see they are
kept quiet all night and most of the
day; and animal like. they have TO
give vent to their animal spirits. as
well as express their satisfaction with
their outing, from which they have
just returned. ~
But are they really contented and
happy?"
why bless you, you couldn't drive
them away If you wanted to. We let
them run freely on the street; but you
never see one fthem evince any dis
position 20 run away. They receive
nothing but kindness and an amount
of attention and care that few children
receive; and why shouldn't they be
happy? Oh. tell you, they appreciate
it,"
Just then Leonidas Ariotes. the own
err and trainer, noble specimen OF
Greek athlete, appeared. He was at
one time a famous athlete and horse
tanner and rider in Greece, where he
enjoyed reputation similar to that of
the most daring and skillful of the
L. he .Nf ha nd foil In
to his present business only by accident
when ne saw a dog rescue kitten from
drowning, forthwith adopted them both
and soon trained th4m to do several
tricks SO cleverly that he determined to
pursue that line of work. with the re-
suit that he has what is admittedly
the greatest and most remarkable
troupe OF trained dogs and cats ever
exhibited.
Leonidas speaks English quite brok-
enly. but. when one has accustomed
himself to his peculiar speech. is a
very interesting talker.
Dogs and cats" said he "are like
men and women, respectively. The cat
is naturally the brighter and more del
icately intelligent, but she is capri
cious, moody, strong willed, often stub
born. She is a bundle of nerves. and
she won't do anything as a result of
punishment. but you must coax and
pet and humor and cajole her and you
are very foolish to attempt to- reason
with her The dog is i'm most respects
the reverse. 1t may seem strange at
first, yet when you come to think of II.
these are the reasons why the dog is
taught TO do tricks in very much less
time than is the cat. for you can hardly
expect TO train a cat in less than two
years, and IL takes an awful big lot OF
patience even then.
THE dog is emotional. impulsive.
fond OF amusement and very grateful
for favors. while the cat is more self
contained. mysterious, secretive and in
dependent. She tolerates your kind
ness and takes them as n matter of
course, while the dog is glad TO show
his appreciation in every possible and
ut every p0ystbte time.
Dogs and cats all have their indvid-
ualities. too. just like human beings,
and their little peculiarities and whims;
and OF course not all are equally i'm
teligent. Some you must train i'm one
way. some by an entirely different
method and the successful ,trainer
must be a good reader of dog and eat
character. To recognize quickly their
peculiarities and know how best 10 ap-
proach them To secure their affection
and obedience. Above all. you must
be kind To them. | am no beiver I'm
corporal punishment, at least for dogs
and cats, though OF course they may
have 10 be punished in some mild but
effective way now and then, but never
by starving them. My dogs love me- as
I love them: and they delight TO do that
which they see pleases me. for they are
quite susceptible 10 praise from me.
though the applause OF the audience is
nothing To them. Cats however. are
perverse. If they think you really want
them To- do something. they are pretty
likely not to do IT, and 40 you have to
handle them very peculiarly and do an
awful lot Of coaxing and petting.
"Oh. no. trained animals are no
more likely To- be dsagreeable than
others. They have different natures.
just like us. That's all. Some are bet
ter natured than others; but all OF my
animals are gentle and kind perhaps
because Kindness is the one thing | in
sist upon from the five attendants
whom l employ 60 assist me I'm their
care. Why. my cats have gotten so
they never put ont their claws TO hold
on when they ride on the backs of the
dogs. but just hold on by squeezing
their legs against the dogs sides or