The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-03-20

hear my voice that he didn't run to me OF
make frantic efforts to do 80.
just before leaving England. after an
absence of neariy one year. l roturned 70
that kennel for the pnrpose OF getting 2
letter Of recommendation from tho head
keeper. Every dog that ] had attended
recognized me at once aud gave evidence
OF delight at seeing me again. when
was working in the hospital ! often had
patients. Co whom gave the greatest care.
fail To recognize me on their return two OF
three weeks later.
The same il true Of horses I have
nure~d. They remember and | behave
are just as grateful a. dogs. though they
are much less efftlsive in expressing
gratitude. ! have had horses greet me
after an absence OF several weeks. but
unfortunately ! haven't had a. much
experience with them a. I have with
dogs and cats.
Are cats grateful? Well. l have heard
a good many disputes on that question.
Cats are undoubtedly grateful 10 limited
extent just an. they are aGectiOnate 70
an unlimited extent and 20 any and
everybody who happens TO please then.
] have never felt that a cat cared par
ttcularly to see me again after l had ex-
eFted my utmost TO allay its suffering or
been the means Of keeping it alive.
have often had cats lick my hand and IN
other mild ways show their gratitude
next person Whoee hand came within
licking distance just an AffectiOnately.
i have never had a cat leave il cosey
corner and rum 70 meet me after ! had
been absent q few hours or n half dO1en
months. Neither did I ever have one
become restless and show a desire 20
reach me when u heard my voice. l
have had many. many dogs do all this
and several horses.
The only time I have ever had a cat
run to meet me was for the purpose Of
slipping out OF the door or because u
hoped for food. u a nurse wants 90 make
sure o. having grateful Patients she
man beings. 80 far a. | can judge they
both have an eye out for the mann chance
and forget former services uIIssss there
IL a chance Of their getting more.
In England. and 40 far a. I can judge
in this country AZ we'll the prospect u
good for the nurse who makes a speciality
OF dogs and horses. though a general
knowledge OF other animals and even
Of birds coFnes in very well AZ times
] have been called on more than once
TO cure valuable fowls. such n chickens,
geese. turkeys and pigeons ! have also
valuable parrot.
This was a very funny fellow. He
had received his early training from the
sailors who brought him 20 England
and had later been tho property Of q
lady who had put him out 70 be taught
hymns and verses from the Bible besides
the art Of polite conversation. The bird
was suffering with the double ailmeni
Of a horny growth over one Of ia nostrils
and phthisis.
"a nTst I saw only the religious side
Of Polly. but az it began to improve
il was feeling. II it continued on the
mend swearing and threats would gree,
me: N however u had had a relapse hymn
tunes and Biblical quotations. Nobody
could ever copvince me but what he had
enjoyed has life aboard ship more than
being the pampered pet % the lady who
vas paying me at tho rate Of 81 visit
for attending him.
4 advised her % send hum hack to the
sailors. but she was horrified at the hare
:s.sa Of his coming under their influences
again think she almost believed he
had q soul which u was her duty 10 save
The owners Of some % the valuable cats
that have nursed seem 10 have the same
ideas about their pets. though. stranSe
a. u may seem. ] never heard the ownes
OF a horae or dog. u makes no differences
1 how intelligent the animal. even hint
at such a probability. My explanation 81
this difference h that horse and doc
/ fanciers are a. a rule more Intelligent
I people than those who devote themselves
/ 20 birds and cats.
I'm America, an there are no training
schools for animal nurses, or at leasi
/ I have never heard % any. ] should aay
the best way tn ~ yourself for the worb
| would ~ by bscominE al assistant foi
some good veterinary. IL q woman hal
/ the time a year or - IN the hospital ol
. regular training school for nurses gives
/ splendid foundaHon.
In England the demand IL chiefly
rom the breeders Of tine animals. OveI
/ IN MGa hat
/ ter animal nurses than men and the reason
given ~ that they are more painstaktnl
and amiAble under trying conditions.