244 OUR HOME PETS 



full-grown ocelots and panthers, it is cruel to 

 accustom one to domestication, to being fed 

 and cared for, and then to abandon him to his 

 own resources. It is hardly less unkind to 

 subject him to the discomforts of life in a 

 menagerie, at least if he is large. 



This consideration the question of what to 

 do with the pet grown up and not suitable for 

 petting makes it undesirable to take any of 

 the larger animals from their natural surround- 

 ings. The young grizzly bear, for example, is 

 a bonny little beast, gentle and affectionate, 

 and full of funny antics ; but a full-grown griz- 

 zly, though ever so amiable in disposition, is 

 a terror to every one except his master, and, 

 with the best intentions, his immense power 

 makes him a dangerous neighbor. 



We have, however, many little animals in 

 our country pleasant for pets, and not too 

 large to be kept when of full size and strength. 

 I should hardly include in the list, however, 

 one who is a great favorite and a very be- 

 witching infant the fox. He is nearly as 

 funny as a monkey, but in spite of the best 

 training his taste for poultry, and especially 

 for wildness, is ineradicable ; and the person 



