USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING DOGS. 247 



painful death. Also, be very careful yourself and never throw a cork that 

 would cause his death as well. 



Always have a collar on your dog, locked, and tight enough so it 

 can't be slipped over his head, and on it something reading like this: 



ROVER, 

 Owned by Jno. Smith, 220 Main St., Cincinnati. 



So that if he does stray away the chances are more in his favor of being re- 

 turned to you, for he may fall into the hands of a man who loves dogs, and 

 therefore an honest man, who would return him to you. 



Yard Kennels. — If you have a large dog and prefer him to sleep in 

 your yard, provide a suitable and comfortable dog house for him, a shelter 

 and proper protection in wet and cold weather, properly ventilated at the 

 top, so that he does not sleep in a draught. The size you can determine 

 easy enough. Have feet on it so that it stands several inches off the 

 ground, and make the floor double with tar paper between floors. Small 

 wheels on it in place of feet are best, as this will enable you to move 

 it to different locations, so if it is damp weather you can place it in a 

 part of the yard that will be dry. Watch out for dampness, wUich causes 

 rheumatism. Cellars or basements, unless you are certain they are not 

 damp, are a dangerous place for a dog to sleep. As to bedding — in hot 

 weather the bare floor is the one the dog will prefer as most comfortable. 

 Pine shavings are a good bedding for medium weather in spring and fall, as 

 no fleas can live in them. In winter straw is the best, and don't be stingy 

 with it; give him plenty, so he can make a hole and cuddle up in it and keep 

 warm. This should be changed at least three times a week. 



Dogs Barking or Howling. — Your dog has, however, no right to bark 

 or howl at night and annoy your neighbors — unless he is barking at some 

 intruder and notifying you of danger. If he gets into the habit of barking 

 at night he must be broken of this, which can be done, and in a night or 

 two. Slip quickly and quietly to his kennel, catch him in the act, have 

 your whip handy, and give him a whipping for barking — scold him and 

 tell him he must keep quiet. He'll soon understand what you mean. 



A dog has certain inalienable rights, among which are those of life, 

 liberty and the pursuit of happiness, subject, however, as the rights of hu- 

 man beings are, to the exercise of liberty without derogation to the com- 

 fort of others. 



Dogs in Your House. — If you have only one or two dogs, your own 

 house is none too good or suitable a place for them to sleep at night, and 

 their access to the house during the day is all right, for a thoroughly well 

 behaved dog is a most desirable companion to have around for company, 

 and especially at night, for any dog is liable to prove of great value or 

 assistance in case of burglars or unwelcome visitors. This applies to the 

 large breeds as well as toy dogs, for they would all be watchful and give 

 the alarm to prevent harm befalling their master and mistress. All dogs 

 are faithful to some one. How often do we read or hear of lives having 

 been saved by the house dog. 



If you have a toy dog that sleeps in the house, provide it a box or 

 basket so that in cold weather you can cover it up at night. Putting it to 

 sleep on a chair or soft does well enough in summer, but suppose you do 

 this in winter, and you cover it up with a shawl and it goes to sleep — say 

 in a warm room, this is all right, so far. Now suppose the fire goes 

 out towards morning, your pet turns over and "kicks the cover off," the 

 room gets cold, and the result is that your dog catches cold, which, if not 

 attended to promptly, is liable to be a sick dog. Provide a box or basket 

 so that you can cover it over the top, allowing for air, and he will be safer 

 and more comfortable. Aside from this, he is more liable to be clean in 

 his habits, and will wait till he is let out into the yard in the morning. Very 

 few dogs will commit a nuisance in their sleeping box. 



And again — suppose he is unlucky enough to get fleas on him, and this 

 often happens to a dog by having met a dog that did have them, you will 



