172 OUR HOME PETS 



looked, for it affects the character of our chil- 

 dren. The submission of a creature who no- 

 toriously will "kiss the hand that beats him " 

 has not a good influence on our boys. The 

 control of a dog tends strongly to develop in 

 his young master inhumanity, disrespect for 

 the rights of others, and an overwhelming self- 

 conceit. The large dog will make himself re- 

 spected, the smaller one will not, and unless 

 parents are very watchful to counteract the evil 

 effects of unlimited authority, they will find 

 their boy growing rapidly in brutality and con- 

 ceit, and by so much failing of the nobility of 

 character they desire to cultivate in him. A 

 pet that will assert its own rights, and enforce 

 respect by teeth or claws, is therefore a better 

 aid in the development of character than the 

 all-enduring and all-forgiving small dog. 



