Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-06-11
WOMEN WHO ARE DoG-MAD.
Worship of Canine Companions Car.
rIed to an Extreme That IN
Ridiculous.

The extent to which the childles.
woman carries the worship and deyo
ton for her canine companion comes
mighty near approXimating the adora
ton of the feline fetiches in ancient
Egyptian days, says a New York ex
change. Something approaching this
was demonstrated the other day when
an elderly and wealthy spinster died
leaving, as her last and most solemn
request, that her adored fox terrier
on his death, should be placed beside
her in the handsome family vault.
Ping-Pong. the terrier, is at present
chasing rats in the barn of the
spinster's heir, a nephew, in Cheerful
Inconsistencies Of the mortuary dig.
mites that await him. for the nephew
intends to fulfill his aunt's last wishes
and give the man Of science 5000 years
hence a chance, on eXcavating an early
twentieth century tomb, to gravely
conclude that dog worship was part
of our religious Observances.
But even if Ping-Pong did realize this
unusual destiny he would not be un.
duly elated for, along with other dogs
Of his class, he has grown callous to
almost human honors. For example
his portrait has, been taken three
times-in oils, in pastel and in water
colors. Photographs of himself and
the dogs in his set don't count; they
are merely by the way. But to be taken
to a studio, placated with unpicked
bones and bonbons and studied by
professional artist is another thing
Indeed, because portraits of dogs are
d reigning fashion, a charming young
woman, with the ambitions of Rosa
Bonheur and quite unusual training
and talents, is supporting herself ad
mirably by her snappy and lifelike
dog canvases.
She is genuine dog lover. and makes
it a point of considering her sitter in
his home and accustomed environment
before she begins her sketch even. At
first her price was $25 per portrait.
but she soon felt justified in doubling
and even trebling that. She is get
ting all the patronage she can manage.
She has even been asked to do a minia-
ture Of dear, dead Boston bull for
his disconsolate mistress, who desired
to have the ivory likeness set in a belt
buckle or in a brooch.
The artists of mere human Inca
ments have recently been called upon
to study dogs professionally, owing 0
the number Of fair sitters who de-
mand the introduction of an adored
terrier. spaniel or grouchy brindle bull
into their own portraits. This fash
ion has come over from England
where. last season, three duchesses, a
few countesses and no less than a
dozen famous actresses and ladies-this-
and-that were painted with their pets
beside them or on their knees or I'M
der their arms or crouched at their
feet
Recently in England, where the dog
mania goes even a step further than
on this side, the heads of the big fash
ionable dry goods and furniture shops
have been obliged to arrange for COM
Portable dogs waiting rooms, each
with livered servant in charge. Also,
the railway managers are brought TO
establish similar waiting rooms at the
great London terminals. Already at
Euston station there is a sort Of with
drawing room for canine passengers,
where even the most valuable animal
can be left by his mistress.