Evening star., 1937-08-27
Stuffed Breast of Veal Is Good Choice Sundays Dime
Handling
Dogs and
Children
Introduction of a New
Pup to an Infant Is
a Risky Matter.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

BY ANGELO PATR1.
MOST people like dogs and chill
AA dren. The two are associated
BY years of companionship. In these
days every family owns dog or two.
Dogs are the children's friends and
companions and protectors. They are
usually the childrens care.
Mothers Of very young children
look around for dog pet to grow
up with the baby. So he won't be
afraid Of dogs: so he will have some
thing alive to be with him; so he
will learn to be kind to animals. es-
pecially dogs. This is where a good
deal OF trouble begins if we are not
understanding.
little child just beginning to get
about is not ready to have dog.
The family may own one who has
already fitted into the scheme Of the
household, but in that case the mother
will not be getting dog for the baby.
The dog will have become acquainted
with the baby and he with it, and.
there will not be any trouble save
In rare instances. It is when the
baby comes first that the trouble
threatens
Sometimes the new dog is a big
one, q shepherd. He is brought into
the presence of the little one who is
sitting on the floor in peaceful oc-
cupation with familiar things. He
looks with startled eyes at the big
creature. Perhaps he begins to cry in
fear. Perhaps he reaches for the
dogs face and clutches at his muzzle,
pokes wavering finger toward his
eye. Maybe the big dog in sheer
friendliness knocks the infant over.
The first experiences q little one has
with dog are going to stay with
him for a long time. 80 the intro
duction OF new dog to an infant
Is risky matter.
Tiny dogs suffer too much at the
hands Of little children. They are
squeezed, sat on. packed in bags and
baskets, and in general made miser-
able. The effort to save the dog
and teach the child about its care
adds mountain OF care to the
mothers already heavy burden. In
stead of the animal being pleasure
he becomes a trial.
And there is the grave possibility
Of the child's acquiring fear of dogs
that will haunt him for years II not
forever. Being knocked down by a
great animal Is not pleasant ex-
perience for little child. Neither
Is being scratched or bitten a good
introduction to pet. The dog that
knocks the baby down is intending
him no hurt, but the baby knows
only that he was felled and helpless
The mishandled pet will defend him.
self in the only way he knows, and of
course the baby is frightened
There ought to be dog where
there are children. The best way
to go about having him is to get
him in first. Once children are ac-
customed to seeing dog around, to
watching him 60 about his business
In his own dog fashion, they accept
him as matter Of course. There is
no first critical introduction. The
dog was just there from the begin
ming like every other household mem
ber
I would not give irresponsible chill
dren the charge of an animal A boys
dog, girls dog, should arrive as a
symbol of tested responsibility. a re-
ward OF tested fidelity and good sense
He comes after such growth, not be-
fore. The baby's friend and pro-
tector should arrive ahead of him,
not after. In this way we save
good deal of worry and anxiety and
give the dog his chance to serve as
he loves to serve.
Mr.. Patri will give personal atten-
tion to inquiries from parents and
school teachers on the care and de-
velopment of children Write him in
care of this paper, enclosing a Scent
stamped, self addressed envelope for
reply.
lCopyright, 1879