Evening star., 1937-04-05
Blossoms Popularity With Spring Visitors
Treatment
And Care
OF Pc t S
Full Responsibility
Belongs to Owner
andNo One Else.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

BY ANGELO PAlhI.
CHILDREN get a great deal OF
~ pleasure out of their association
with their pets. The antics OF the
kitten, the intelligent friendship of
q dog, the close intimacy of the pony
call out the finest emotions of child
hood. Few children there are who
do not love their pets with an abiding
affection.
But affection is not enough. The
love and loyalty that the pets give
their owners deserves, insists upon
a loyal response in care and protec-
ton. The child who does not feed
and wash his pet is not getting the
real association, the real thrill OF the
association.
The dog, of course, is the most
easily understood, and most appre-
ciated of the lot, but the dog attaches
himself to the one who takes care
of him. 1t Is not the one who buys
him that he loves, but the one who
feeds him, brushes and combs him,
talks and laughs with him, plays
with him, tends him in sickness and
In health that he pours out his un-
bounded devotion and affection upon.
1t is good to give pets to children
II the children are ready to care for
them. Otherwise it is bad for the
pets and the children alike. Little
ones who poke their fingers into dog s
eyes, who drag the cat about by the
tail, are going to be hurt. Knowing
no better they are going to hurt back
and that establishes the wrong re-
htionship at once.
Give the pets to the children when
they are ready to take care Of them.
# boy wants dog ask him If he
Is willing to feed him and make him
understand what that implies in
regularity, cleanliness, patience and
lorethought. Many boys want to own
dog, but many leave the care OF
them to other people, and that won't
do The animal is dependent upon
his owner for his care, and certainly
he earns it.
Abuse of animals should not be
tolerated. If child strikes or kicks
an animal the pet should be rescued
Gated to him. He should be deprived
of association with the pet until he
shows he can be trusted with his care.
If he gets the idea that he can abuse
an animal he has formed an un-
fortunate habit of thought. He is
likely to pass along his treatment OF
the animal to the rest of the world.
That will cost him the respect and
esteem of his fellows, the pleasant
association that others enjoy will be
denied him. He will have no friends
for the very animals will shun him.
Cruelty is one vice that is univer-
sally despised It is unnecessary for
any child to be afflicted with it.
Training will soon teach him to be
kind, to return love for love. service
for service In overflowing measure as
It is given him.
Children are not the worst Of
lenders when it comes to the mis-
treatment of pets. What about the
people who leave the pet cat be-
hind when they close the house for
the vacation months, or go to Europe
for a year, or move a long distance
away? Imagine the sort of person
1t must be who leaves his dog home
less and friendless after years OF
association. Think Of the poor crea-
lures distress when they find the
house closed, no familiar voice to call
them, no food, no drink. nothing but
a hostile world to greet them in their
grief and loneliness.
Animals are entitled to the best
care we can give them once we as
sumo responsibility for them. They
become a family obligation If not
a family's beloved member. They
stand by us in good times and in bad.
We can do no less by them.
Mr.. Patri will give personal atten-
ton to inquiries from parents and
school teachers on the care and de-
velopment Of children. Write him
IN care of this paper, inclosing 3-cent
stamped, self-addressed envelope for
reply.
eCopYright, 1879