Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-05
Gat md DOG Life.


observations of Philosophical Friend
of Ours.)
g each thing meets
In mere appugnancy;
Then everything includes itself in power;
Power into will, will into appetite,
And appetite, an universal wolf
So doubly seconded with will and power,
Must make perforce an universal prey
90 49, Tro. & Cress.
The trouble in cat and dog life is that
thew were never made for one another.
Consequently, when their tails are ma
liciously tied together, or they meet as
strangers, fight follows, as a matter OF
course. It requires a good deal OF dis-
cpline, besides cutting of claws and pull
ing of teeth to make the "happy faml-
Nv" of divers animals that we some
times see in a show. Uncongenial ma
lures will conflict and quarre! and hght.
So, unless taught to give and take ana
be quiet, as the world is so very VIDE
each had better keep his own place ana
company; If necessary one living IN chi
cago, the other In Paris: one In Bangor
and the other in Miami. Then there Is
sure to be peace in the family.
But cat life and dog life apart are diff
ferent from the mixed conditions known
as cat and dog life.
Cat life in a household, is an element
of protection and comfort and whole
some example. a sensible and wide
awake pussy or Tom is guarantee
against mice and rats and such small
cattle Either is worth a dozen traps.
On the rug before the fire. they are most
pleasant and quoting piece of furniture
in the house The cricket on the hearth
is nothing to them. They diffuse quiet
ing influence. Take puss in the lap and
she is better than cigar. She is a
saporific.
Then what a teacher of softness and
gentleness she is! She has charms to
soothe and soften the savagest and hard
est mind, veritable walking Aeolan
harp. Gentleness and quiet is her lesson,
her impression, her irresistible exam
pie.
Even when she has her night meetings
on the housetop, she joins in a general
concert, and the family have a music
of their own. AT the dead hour Of night
the human family ought to be asleep;
| so 1t is their fault if they are disturbed.
And If Puss and Tom chances to pick up
a canary, it is somebody else's fault.
Again, Jug ll1C iiGS Ittl4ly w SuS.'' eAiAS
! even graces. to teach us. The watch dog
is noted for his fidelity and affection for
the master and for the family. His sa-
sacity is as remarkable as his fidelity.
! So also is his courage his gentleness, ms
endurance. In truth, there is no grac
| or virtue admirable and lovable in man
! that does not seem to be reflected IN Inc
+, life and character Of the dog. 1t is hard
! not to recognize high and beautiful hui
| mainly in the Newfoundland, the setter
| and the little terrier. And we are happy
| in giving them affection and fondling.
It is largely the same in the case OF
! dog and cat alike. It is their misfortune
| that their courses of life antagonize and
| conflict and that serious difficulties oc'
| cur between them.
It does seem, too, a little unjust for US
so wantonly to insult our good friends
! dogs and cats. but charging to them CON
! ditions that disgrace the human family.
| 1t is not inconsistent with the intimate
I friendship and affection that exists be
tween many of the very best of our race
and cats and dogs, to insult them as grlev'
ously, as we often do. by giving the name
Of cat and dog life to the wretched con
ditions that show themselves in man an6
womankind The poor animals are dumt
and irresponsible, and don't even know
| their letters Our offenders can talk ant
Atlll6 anu 6i1O SpCeIn iii sAeAii
guages, and in spite of all, make wild
beasts of Notwithstanding else bu
Puss, and Tom and Carlo and Bens. W.
treat them unkindly and unjustly whe1
we make cat and dog life a disgrace.
On the other hand, might we not. will
greater Justice, when by some misbehaviol
cur pets irritated US, relieve our owl
feelings by charging them thus: Arr
you not ashamed of yourselves, Fido ant
Tom?. You, Fido, have made yourself :
| thief, a railroad wrecker, a snob, and ;
| debauchee And you, Miss Puss, are NJ
better than a society lady, a gossip, and !;
! little pilferer You both are mean ant
selfish culprits, keeping company Will
! aduterers and adultresses. How can 20,
expect to keep company with ladies ant
/ gentlemen? You are no better thai
French King and courtiers, and man,
an English dignitary. You fairly remint
! me of the rascally Roman Emperors.
"Fie! fie: Puss and Carlo! learn to be
! have yourselves, or I will send you on
/ into the woods to learn manners.