242 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



as he has become, to the service that has in it only 

 the hardest labour, the barest living, and so down 

 to an ignominious death. The faithful old dog, 

 disfigured by accident or incurable disease, is often 

 given away or heartlessly destroyed, without a 

 thought of the pleasure and the safety he has 

 afforded. The family cat, tenderly nurtured from a 

 kitten, returns some day to find the home empty, 

 the family moved, himself, helpless and enervated 

 by foolish pampering, abandoned to starve, or to 

 shift for himself as best he can. 



Can we not afford our animals at least a decent 

 burial, if we are too inconsiderate and too selfish to 

 provide for their declining and enfeebled years that 

 comfort which is their due? Surely we must answer 

 for our crimes of omission and commission in such 

 relations, and w^e certainly cannot take refuge behind 

 the plea of necessity for such thoughtless acts. 



The man who becomes, by purchase or gift, the 

 owner of a helpless animal is morally responsible 

 for its future welfare through life; some day per- 



