146 OUR HOME PETS 



a Great Dane or a St. Bernard in an elegant 

 apartment, or a narrow brick-on-end-shaped 

 city house. 



It should be well understood in the begin- 

 ning that a pet is a great deal of trouble, and 

 no one should assume the care unless he is 

 willing to bear the burden. To surround 

 ourselves with these helpless dependants, 

 and then neglect to provide for their comfort 

 and happiness, is not merely cruel, it is really 

 a crime. As already said, taking a dog into 

 the family is like adopting a child, and one is 

 just as responsible for neglect of duty towards 

 one as towards the other. 



When one really goes out to select and buy 

 a dog, especially if he has no preferences, it is 

 important that he should educate himself 

 and by himself, of course, I also mean herself. 

 This is best done, perhaps, by " reading up " 

 on the different varieties, and then visiting 

 some good kennels, or, if possible, a dog show, 

 for the looks and appearance of an animal 

 have much to do with our liking for him. 



Should we select his variety and then buy a 

 puppy? That depends; puppies are charm- 

 ing ; no young creature is more so, for though 



