52 THE BOSTON TERRIER 



ther has she been. If, in addition to the above 

 symptoms, and there has been unusual abdom- 

 inal, uterine, and breast enlargement, with a dis- 

 charge of blood for several days and no pups are 

 in evidence, then in this case it may safely be 

 concluded that the offspring fell victims to the 

 puppy-eating habit, in which case a close watch 

 must be kept on the bitch at the next time of 

 whelping, as this is a curable habit generally. I 

 have had two cases to my knowledge, both of 

 which were cured I think, largely by giving 

 these two bitches all the raw meat they could 

 possibly eat while in whelp. One other fact, 

 related somewhat to the last two, and one that 

 the inexperienced breeder must give intelligent 

 heed to, is that some bitches go through the 

 entire period of gestation without presenting a 

 single sign of pregnancy appreciable to the 

 ordinary observer. Of course, to a dog man the 

 facts of the case would in all probability be 

 known, but I shall have to confess, after years 

 of extended experience I myself have been de- 

 ceived two or three times. Never give up hope 

 until the last gun is fired. 



I think it will generally be considered a good 

 plan, if the bitch is expected to whelp in the 

 kennel she has been in the habit of occupying, 

 to thoroughly clean out and wash with boiling 

 water the box or corner she will use, to destroy 



