LII. 

 THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG. 



From the earliest known history, the dog, the companion and 

 friend of man, is found in ahnost every part of the globe. He is 

 supposed to have originated from the wolf, another variety of 

 the same family. Their inclinations to associate with each other, 

 their readiness to breed together, and anatomical similarity, 

 seemed sufficient proof of relatiouGliip, But even thi^ is not 

 absolute proof that the dog originated from the wolf. From 

 earliest history, the dog has been the same docile and affectionate 

 animal as now. Intellectually, the dog ranks next to the human. 

 The inferior animals are, to a certain extent, endowed with the 

 same faculties as ourselves. Hatred, love, fear, courage, jealousy, 

 and many varied passions influence and agitate them as they do 

 human beings. The dog is susceptible to every impression. With 

 regard to intellectual power, the difference between man and 

 animals is in degree, and not in kind. In the quadruped as well 

 as the biped, knowledge is derived from the perception of things 

 around us. A certain impression is made on the outward fiber* 

 of a sensitive nene. That impression in some mysterious way is 

 conveyed to the brain, and there it is fixed, imagination com- 

 bining it with many impressions. Judgment determines the 

 value of it and the conclusions that are to be drawn from it. 



The writer has frequently observed this phenomenon of im- 

 pressions and the keenness of perception in dogs during opera- 

 tions. Often, when approached for examination, they at first 

 offer resistance. All at once, however, something seems to strike 

 their minds. They will utter a little whine, wag their tails, 

 crouch at our feet, and lay themselves down for inspection. A 

 word or two of kindness is all that is necessary, and they will 

 readily submit to the most painful operation. This is better 



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