222 OUR HOME PETS 



who have never reflected upon the straits they 

 thus force upon a beast they may even be fond 

 of. But whether fond or not, there is a moral 

 obligation on the part of one who takes a help- 

 less animal into the family to see that it is 

 comfortable, and also that it is not an annoy- 

 ance to the neighbors. 



The cat should always have a bed, warm in 

 winter and cool in summer. If he is allowed 

 to enjoy his back-fence promenade during the 

 evening, any well-treated cat will be glad to 

 come home at bedtime, unless he has been 

 made a confirmed vagabond by former neg- 

 lect. In that case he can soon be cured by 

 forming the habit of giving him some dainty 

 just at bedtime. A round basket, with clean 

 straw or a bit of carpet, makes a good bed. A 

 warm cellar is a comfortable place, and a bar- 

 rel, prepared like the basket, is a convenient 

 bed. If he sleeps in the kitchen or sitting- 

 room, it is well to have a box of dry earth be- 

 side his quarters. No living creature should 

 be shut into a closet or cupboard for a night; 

 fresh air is the life of beast as well as man. 



A well-kept cat is the pink of neatness, for- 

 ever washing and brushing his fur. The short- 



