EXERCISE AND OCCUPATION. II5 



freedom such circunistances permit, every dog should be 

 introduced daily, weather permitting, to the larger outer 

 world, for change, to develop his intelligence and to stimu- 

 late him to greater efforts and attainments. 



We shall treat the whole management of puppies later, 

 when their exercise, etc., will be specially considered. 



It would puzzle the best physiologist to explain fully 

 why exercise is so beneficial. It seems to be a part of the 

 actual constitution of protoplasm, that foundation for all 

 function, to be in constant though varying action. What 

 we term rest is only diminished activity ; and that princi- 

 ple of change to which attention has been called as regards 

 diet is but a special application of that law of incessant 

 change which seems to be essential in all life-processes. 

 It is a change in the life of muscle to pass from "rest" or 

 diminished activity to greater activity and back again. 

 Hence rest and exercise can not be separated in a healthy 

 existence. With continuous rest or continuous activity, 

 failure of vital powers is inevitable. Under exercise the 

 circulation is quickened with a corresponding increase in 

 every function of the body. Dogs are very subject to 

 constipation, yet observe how freely a dog will empty 

 the bowels during a ramble in the fields. Exercise fills 

 the lungs with fresh air; the dog beholds new sights, 

 hears new sounds, sniffs fresh scents, and is stimulated in 

 every fiber of his being. 



But let exercise, good as it is in itself, be carried be- 

 yond a certain point, and the result is harm rather than 

 good. An exhausted dog is not ready to digest food — 

 good evidence that his exercise has been an injury. 



It is not usual to give dogs when brought in from ex- 



