398 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



fed; and she may remain to enjoy their society for half- 

 an-hour on each occasion. The small gluttons, though 

 full of cow's juice, will nevertheless find appetite for 

 such a luxury as mother's milk ; but their energies being 

 blunted, they will have power to do no more than to pre- 

 vent an accumulation within the glands. The little, 

 however, which they can swallow seems to do them 

 much good ; for after this manner I have brought up 

 many pups, though, when I have attempted to rear them 

 wholly upon cow's milk, success has not always rewarded 

 my care. 



There is only one circumstance needed to be pointed 

 out when pups are brought up by hand. The sponge 

 and leather of the false nipple is apt to become sour ; 

 and therefore, after they have been used, they should be 

 kept in water rendered slightly alkaline with the carbo- 

 nate of soda. 



At three weeks old, puppies may be brought to lap a 

 little ; and they not only learn quickly where their bel- 

 lies are concerned, but they never, like other children, 

 forget what they once acquire. After a month a little 

 scraped meat or boiled rice may be added to their diet ; 

 and by five weeks old they will feed themselves. There- 

 fore, if the trouble be great it does not last long ; and to 

 those who can make an amusement of the business, the 

 pleasure repays the labor. I do not know whether feed- 

 ing pups is quite as agreeable a pastime as killing birds ; 

 but I am sure it is far less dangerous to him who follows 

 it ; though the difference of name given to such recrea- 



