IN BOOKS AND REAL LIFE 219 



slow walk became a waddle, and after half a mile 

 or so the weight of the body would tell, and he 

 turned back. At first the village girls gave him a 

 wide berth, and the children ran screaming to their 

 mothers' petticoats. But soon they came to know 

 him better, and the solitary walk back became 

 a triumphal promenade. He would stop to talk 

 to innumerable friends ; the children would be 

 tumbling over him, pulling ears and tail, and he 

 would be tempted into cottages where tea was 

 going forward. 



If you must put a dog on chain, you are bound 

 to make him comfortable. The first thing is to see 

 that he is always supplied with fresh water ; in- 

 deed all dogs should have water within reach, with 

 a lump of sulphur in it. It is wonderful how much 

 and how often a dog will drink, even in cool 

 weather ; he seldom passes a pool or puddle with- 

 out dipping his tongue, and the first thing he does 

 on coming home, is to rush off to his drinking-cup. 

 The next thing is to protect him from wind and 

 wet. It is odd how stupid old fashions linger, and 

 the kennel is generally made with the door in 

 front. On the contrary, the opening should al- 

 ways be on the side, so that, though the quarters 

 cannot at best be very comfortable, there is a snug 

 recess where he can roll himself up. A barrel, 

 with the lower part boarded up, is better than 

 the ordinary wind-trap. Whether barrel or kennel, 

 it should be raised a few inches above the ground, 

 like tropical bungalows in malarious climates. 



