228 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



signing of a forlorn pnppy or kitten, just taken from 

 its mother's side, to the cellar every night to mourn 

 its lonely little heart out, can but have its effect upon 

 the children, who find that the parents not only 

 tolerate, but direct such methods. As one little 

 girl said : " Why, father, kittie only mewed once 

 when I pulled her tail; but she cries all night when 

 you put her in the cellar ! " 



The purchaser who invests in horse, dog, or 

 other pet does so with no idea of any special duty 

 to the animal who thus comes into his charge ; and 

 generally with no previous knowledge of its require- 

 ments. He simply acquires it, as he does his walk- 

 ing-stick, and expects it forthwith to be as handy, 

 useful, and ornamental as the implement. Of the 

 animal's obligations to him he has a generally exag- 

 gerated idea; for his to the creature he cares but 

 little, and would be surprised did you ask if 

 he realised what they were, or whether any existed. 

 He will allow that food, water, and shelter must be 

 provided in order that condition for use, or pleasure, 

 may be maintained, but further than that it never 



