254 OUR HOME PETS 



It is not a pet that is kept in a cage, it is a 

 prisoner, and a prisoner in his unnatural and 

 unhappy life can never afford much pleasure. 



Whatever beast is kept, it should have its 

 own quarters, in which it is at home and free 

 from intrusion, and to which it can retire 

 when it chooses. This home should be kept 

 clean and sweet by frequent changes of bed- 

 ding and the use of soap and water. No one 

 has a right to keep an animal in confinement 

 who finds it too much trouble to attend to its 

 health and comfort. It should be regularly 

 fed on food that is most healthful for it, and, 

 what is quite as essential to its happiness, and 

 consequently to its health, it should be talked 

 to and noticed as much as anybody. I am 

 certain many animals and birds suffer and die 

 in our homes from pure loneliness, and from 

 being regarded by their human neighbors as 

 creatures of an altogether different nature. 

 Whereas the truth is, if one will but cultivate 

 their acquaintance, he will be astonished to 

 see how the dullest and most stupid will wake 

 out of its apparent torpor, and show Bunder- 

 standing and character. I know a family very 

 fond of pets, in which the creatures show most 



