Evening star., 1936-11-28
BY r. r. TAYNTON.

- OMETIMES even the most cold
blooded and unimaginative OBJ
server is forced to admit that
- the dog STORY writer's may be
telling more or less the truth after all.
One of the hardest stories to swallow
is that of direct communication be-
tween animals, yet can vouch for
the absolute truth of this incident.
Several dogs we're in the house,
among them the two Shetland sheep
dogs, Candy and Perry. the former
was in the kitchen, the latter under
the living room table. l called Candy
and Perry came. I petted her a min
ute and she came back under the
table called Candy again. and again
Perry came. This time 1 said. Il don't
want you, I am calling Candy" where
upon Perry turned, trotted into the
kitchen and an instant later both
dogs came to me. Perry looked up at
me and then went back to her place
under the table
How did Perry understand what
/ said? How did she make Candy
know I wanted her? Why didn't she
rouse any of the other dogs that were
in the house?
I suppose those are all ques-
tions that will remain forever
unanswered, but they give one
TO think, as the French %
neatly phrase 1t.
THERE Is some confusion in the
minds Of the public as to the
function OF the various animal aid
societies in the city. The pound Is
the only one that is a municipal de-
partment. Its duties consist of CATCH
ing and impounding all stray and
unlicensed dogs and other animals.
The other orEanizs tions are
privately endowed and exist for
the humane purpose Of rescuing
hurt or unwanted animals.
While one or two of them may pick
up strays in the streets and alleys Of
the city, most of them accept only
those animals which are turned over
to them. They do not catch" dogs,
and are not concerned with licensing
except that they ask that the dogs
which they give out be provided with
license tags IN order to identify them
and keep them from being picked up
as strays.
The Animal Rescue League, which
never picks up dogs or cats except on
call, handles nevertheless, some 5000
cats and 800 dogs a month, besides .
few score Of miscellaneous animals
such as white rats and spawned mules.
These are all brought or sent to the
league by the owners Of the animals,
who sign releases on them.
All injured animals, most Of
the cats and all the female dogs
are quickly and painlessly put
to sleep. Many Of the male dogs
are placed in homes where they
are wanted.
THERE are rumors in the air tnat
the Old Dominion Kennel Club,
which is acquiring . reputation for
doing things in an original way, is at
it again.
This time there Is . chance
that 1t may pioneer in the Civ.
ing Of independent A. X. 9.
licensed obedience test trials.
This Is a brand-new idea In the
way of dog shows, emphasis being put
In 4 show of this kind upon perform
ance rather than conformation. It
would be doubly Interesting If this
club, which is one of the newest In the
roster Of an-breed clubs. would have
the honor of tnaugurating this type
Of dog show.
At the recent meeting Of the Old
Dominion Club 1t was voted to have
illustrated talks on the history and
conformation of various dogs by ex-
perts In those breeds. The first talk,
1T the December meeting, will be on
the cocker spaniel. by ]. D. Kimes of
the Wirehaven Kennels. He viii II.
lustrate the superiorities Of the breed
with one Of his reeont champions, but