54 THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEP DOG 



to gnaw, though it is advisable that the recipient be 

 allowed to tackle his delicacy in solitude, for he brooks 

 no interference when engaged upon it. But the bones 

 should be big round ones, which are good for the teeth 

 and promote the flow of saliva. Small splintery ones, 

 as already noted, are not only useless, but dangerous. 



The first meal may be given between ten and eleven 

 o'clock, and the second between six and seven ; but 

 plenty of latitude is here allowable to suit the special 

 requirements of kennel and household alike. For the 

 adult dog in health the daily bill of fare may be varied 

 on some such lines as these : 



Monday. A light morning meal consisting of a couple 

 of handfuls of dry Rodnim ; about seven hours later, 

 a hearty evening meal of Spratt's biscuits, well 

 soaked and mixed with boiled cabbage and gravy. 

 Tuesday. A morning meal consisting of a small 

 portion of Flako, with a small addition of well- 

 cooked sheep's paunches, carefully cleaned and 

 cut up small. A substantial evening meal of dry 

 Rodnim with green vegetables and potatoes. 

 Wednesday. The morning meal may consist simply 

 of a big beef or mutton bone, with a fair pro- 

 portion of meat adhering to it, which will some- 

 times occupy the dog for an hour or more. In 

 the evening he will be ready to do justice to a 

 big bowl of dry biscuits, broken up small and 

 well mixed with table scraps and gravy. 



