DOGS! THEIR MANAGEMENT, 181 



are employed to undermine its health ; and its willingness 

 to learn and to obey is converted into a reason for des- 

 troying its constitution. What it can do we are content 

 to assume it was intended to perform ; and that which it 

 will eat we are satisfied to assert was destined to be its 

 food. 



Bones, stones, and bricks, are not beneficial to dogs. 

 The animals may be tutored to carry the two last, and 

 impelled by hunger they will eat the first. Hard sub- 

 stances and heavy weights, however, when firmly grasp- 

 ed, of course wear the teeth ; and the organs of masti- 

 cation are even more valuable to the meanest cur than to 

 the wealthiest dame. If the mouth of the human being 

 be toothless, the cook can be told to provide for the occa- 

 sion, or the dentist will in a great measure supply the 

 loss. But the toothless dog must eat its customary food ; 

 and it must do this, although the last stump or remaining 

 fang be excoriating the lips, and ulcerating the gums. 

 The ability to crush, and the power to digest bones, is 

 thought to be a proof that dogs were made to thrive upon 

 such diet ; and Blaine speaks of a meal of bones as a 

 wholesome canine dish. I beg the owners of dogs not to 

 be led away by so unfounded an opinion. A bone to a 

 dog is a treat, and one which should not be denied ; but 

 it should come in only as a kind of dessert after a hearty 

 meal. Then the creature will not strain to break and 

 strive to swallow it ; but it will amuse itself picking off 

 little bits, and at the same time benefit itself by cleaning 

 its teeth. Much more ingenuity than force will be em- 



