The Washington herald., 1908-06-28
JUST SOME DOG TALK
AnimaI Stories that Should Prove of Interest to
Children as Well as GrOwn-upS.

/ expert, chow little the average person
knows about dogs, and how, by in feed
ing and mistaken kindness. they make
the poor beasts suffer with the collywob-
| bles when a little judgment would, keep
them In the best OF condition. know a
woman who insists on Il that her dog
must have a bath every day. followed by
a combing and brushing process. to which
he submits gracefully. having been taught
TO expect piece Of candy by way of re-
ward.
1T is all very well to take your own
tub daily but would any sane person
think Of a daily shampoo? Too much
washing takes all the oil out OF a dogs
coat. renders his skin dry and uncom-
/ Portable. and necessarily ends In the de-
struction Of HIS good looks. If not of his
health. once a week in the city or twice
month in the country is quite often
enough for the dog 70 have his bath. and
II he is cOmbed and brushed but twice a
week he viii be all the better for H. And
candy is the worst thing YOU can give
him Good, fresh milk. with bread, the
best diet on which to wean puppies.
is likewise the best diet for an old dog.
and better relish at all times than
sweets, which are an acquired taste.
ITO the dog misfortune. he will eat
often gets things that are not good for
him"
That provoked the liveliest sort of dis
cussion 1t was Lane says this" and
"Ashmore says that" and Il don't care
what anybody says, for have consulted
my own veterinarian on these points"
Not being familiar with the authorities
quoted, / held my peace and only repeat
some Of the talk for the benefit OF those
Of you who keep dogs.
Feed a little and feed often" said a
successful breeder. until the puppies
have attained their growth. There's moth
ing so good for them as bread and milk.
but teach them 10 drink water as early
as possible, for then they won't eat so
much. and all puppies are gluttons."
"One-ffth is the proper proportion OF
meat for house dog" chmed IN another
man. and it need have no more unless IL
is much more frequently exercised than
the average house dog"
From one-hfth 20 third" said the
judge. and II the meat is the kind the
master eats. there will be no occasion to
worry as 70 the cooking unless sauces are
used. for what is good enough for man in
this line does very well for a dog"
any longer. when got a toy dog the
first thing I did was to write the Ameri-
can Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty
70 Animals. asking what 70 feed il and
how TO keep il I'm health. They wrote me
a nice long letter. incloslng some leaflets.
and told me one thing that hadn't oc-
CURED 10 me NJ all: There IS as much IN
dividuality about dogs as there is about
men. and we should advise a study of
your pets peculiar needs. But there are
some general principles which may BE- ap-
piled to ALL the writer continued. The
average house dog Is fed too much and
exercised too little In the country dogs
can be depended on 10 run about as much
as they ought and to regulate their diet
to some extent In town the owner should
see that the dog has a good run IN the
back yard. A dog in leash does not en-
Joy itself nor does II add to the enjoy
ment Of pedestrians in general. Every
animal should have an abundant supply
OF pure water for drinking. and the yes
sells for this purpose-preferably enamel
ware-should be cleaned daily. Two feeds
a day will suffice for grown dogs. Stale
food is unwholesome. Give as much as
the dos viii eat UP clean, then throw
away the fragments
"A dog that is ON It's feed" will soon
be restored to condition If given an oc-
casional raw egg and plenty Of milk No
one has right 10 keep animals unless
able and willing to provide whatever is |
necessary for their health and happiness. |
That means II must be kindly treated. |
comfortably lodged, regularly fed. sup
piled with water. and afforded opportunl- |
ties for recreation. Gentle treatment Is |
due all animals and neeu not interfere /
with hrmness in governing them"
Sounds preachy doesn't Il?
Never mind; it's good advice. all the I
same. and here is my favorite dog story |
to make up for the sermon I wonder /
how often you have laughed over 1t your /
selves?
'Ah! you should keep dogs. fine ami