Dogs, 145 



before the animal will be in condition to bene- 

 fit by his meal. 



See that all thorns and ticks (which simply 

 swarm upon dogs in the early part of a mild 

 winter) are carefully removed before a dog is 

 allowed to leave the hands of his rubber. The 

 latter pests will be found clinging chiefly to 

 a dog's fore parts, and especially behind the 

 ears, no doubt being collected as his chest 

 and shoulders brush through the long grass : 

 if suffered to remain, they will grow to an 

 enormous size, causing no end of irritation 

 and loss of much needed rest. They may 

 easily be felt by passing the fingers through 

 the coat. In rubbing down, especial attention 

 should be paid to the spaces between the toes, 

 as the whole condition of the feet depends on 

 these parts being kept thoroughly clean and 

 dry. It will be noticed that a dog returning 

 dirty and wet from shooting will always com- 

 mence his toilet, if left to himself, by licking 

 first his feet, then his legs, then his loins and 

 belly, indicating the order of things on which, 

 to his own mind, his comfort depends. 



