80 DOGS: THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



ing. No animal is more actuated by the power of imagi- 

 nation. Who is there that has not seen the dog mistake 

 objects during the dusk of the evening '? Delirium 

 usually precedes its death, and nervous excitability is the 

 common accompaniment of most of its disorders. To 

 diseases of a cerebral or spinal character it is more liable 

 than is any other domesticated animal. Its very bark is 

 symbolical of its temperament, and its mode of attack 

 energetically declares the excitability of its nature. The 

 most fearful of all the diseases to which it is exposed 

 (rabies), is essentially of a nervous character, and there 

 are few of its disorders which do not terminate with symp- 

 toms indicative of cranial disturbance. This tendency 

 to cerebral affections will, if properly considered, suggest 

 those casual and appropriate acts which the dog in afflic- 

 tion may require, and which it would be impossible for 

 any author fully to describe. Gentleness should at all 

 times be practised; but to be truly gentle the reader 

 must understand it is imperative to be firm. Hesitation, 

 to an irritable being, is, or soon becomes, positive 

 torture. 



He who would attend upon the dog must be able to 

 command his feeling, and, whatever fear he may be con- 

 scious of, he must have power to conceal his emotion. 

 The hand slowly and cautiously advanced, to be hastily 

 retracted, is nearly certain to be bitten. Whatever 

 therefore is attempted should be done with at least the 

 appearance of confidence, and the determination of the 

 man will, in the generality of cases, check the disposition 



