Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1958-03-06
Anything Goes
People Get
Too Much
Attention
BY George WalesISi

90 MUCH dtLentlOn has been
paid to people lately. Certain of
us resent this. The more liter
ate of animals, and we dogs
number ourselves among them,
have applauded recent efforts
by group of foreigners to raise
our skin to heights never before
known. l refer of course to
Laika.
Not many of you humans re-
alize that for years we have de-
pended for moral and spiritua.
guidance on female correspond
ent, appearing in the daily
press. I'm sure that very few
of you knew that when you put
our dog food dish on a copy of
her paper, the reason you found
the paper scattered throughout
the kitchen was a result of our
efforts to read our favorite col
umnist. You see, many times
we planted letters with her. Typ
ing was no problem but the sig
natures gave US trouble. There's
something about a signature
that makes a letter official.
/ think Mary suspected some
thing. None of her readers did.
Many tattered clippings have
been passed from dog to dog
and what you no doubt have
thought was just a friendly
smelling of noses was really the
passage of clipping between
two of us.
Dear Mary Ha'pennyworth. 1
am a mother of AZ, children, not
years. Now that they have all
grown up and left me, / don't
feel that life is worth living.
They seldom come to visit any
more and truthfuIIy wouldn't
recognize some of them. I've
tried to keep busy around the
neighbOrhOOd but feel terribly
lonesome. My people call me "old
dog" and push me away from
the fire after I've been out i'm
the rain. Is there anything 1
can do?
Dear Old Dog (for that is the
way you signed your letter..
You have had many rich expert
ences, l can tell from the tone of
your letter (much condensed
here). I think if you keep away
from the fire on rainy days and
in your minds eye relive some
of the experiences you've had,
you can live out your life in
peace and contentment. Remem-
Der that age and maturity go
hand in hand and the enjoyment
of one requires the other.
Dear Mary Ha'pennyworth. I
am youngster, just coming
into maturity. Life just smells
so good. / can hardly get enough
of running and playing and visit
ing. My people are kind to me
but / just do wish they'd get
rid of that notion that l like my
ears scratched. I'm ticklish but
/ hate to snap at them. WIS
can do?
Dear Perplexed. Love mani
tests itself in many ways. If
we are ready for love we can ac-
cept it. Try to feel, when they
scratch your ears, that they love
you. This viii help. If you can't
stand 1t, pray for guidance by
thinking of a forest or parking
lot.
Dear Mary Ha'pennyworth.
I've been incoming around the
house lately. You see I had got
interested in gentleman, let's
call him Doberman P. He was
attentive and clever and hand
some. And well, you know the
story. Pm afraid others will
soon notice. What can / do?
Signed Collie c.
Dear c. c. In your City there
is a very fine institution where
you will receive the best of
care. Nothing l can say can
minimize the experience you
will have. Meanwhile, for help
in a trying time, read the label
on Chow dog food. Try to
understand the message. 1t will
comfort you.