THE DOG. 141 



muzzling question, a man writing to a newspaper said, 

 " Better a thousand dogs should die than one man ! " 

 There are very few men who, appreciating dogs, would at 

 all agree with this opinion. There are men whose lives 

 are more valuable than those of a thousand dogs, but there 

 are others whose lives would be dearly purchased by that of 

 one dog. 



It is possible that if admitted to as intimate a com- 

 panionship with man, other animals might make as rapid 

 a rise as the dog has done ; but there are few so well 

 suited for that companionship. The cat accepts kindness, 

 but declines to be in any way bound by it. It may like 

 petting, and may even run to greet a master or mistress, 

 and follow them over the house ; but the cat takes little 

 interest in their conversation, and keeps its thoughts strictly 

 to itself, and its inscrutable face is a mask which cannot 

 be penetrated. But beyond the cat the choice is limited. 

 Rats and mice are easily tamed, but would never overcome 

 feminine aversion. Sheep lack the liveliness necessary for 

 a pet. Cattle are too large for our present style of house ; 

 while the giraffe, whose eye is probably the most lovely of 

 those of any of the brute creation, would scarcely feel at 

 ease in a drawing-room. Lions, tigers, and other members 

 of the cat tribe have been made pets when young, but 

 become dangerous as they gain their strength. The 

 monkey is too intolerant of cold to become a pet in this 

 country, and his restlessness and love of mischief are against 

 him. The mongoose, perhaps, if more common, would be 

 the most formidable rival of the dog. It is admitted to 

 possess a high degree of intelligence, to be easily tamed, 

 and very affectionate ; but it could take the place only of 



