OUR FAMILIES— RABBITS AND PIGEONS 

 "We helped them raise their little folks." 



horses we see in the streets. We study their loads, their harness, 

 and the treatment given them by their drivers. Surely those of us 

 who see horses in the streets of New York must feel that many of 

 their drivers have never had pets of their own when they were 

 children. We have made a careful study of the "Prayer of the 

 Horse," by F. H. Burgher, ex-Deputy of the Police Department. 

 As a part of this study of street animals we visit the blacksmith shop 

 and stables. Many a horse has received better food or his harness 

 has been readjusted at the suggestion of a class of little folks who 

 watch the same animals from day to day. The almost immediate 

 response from the children if the animals suffer, shows one of the 

 valuable lessons in connection with the work. 



It is very interesting to notice the different reactions of the ani- 

 mals to the children as they are fondled. With some children the 

 animals snuggle down and go to sleep, or sing, or purr, or talk to 

 their friends. Certain types of children cannot handle animals at 

 all. The animals run away or squeal. The children notice this 

 immediately. A sturdy little fellow in the kindergarten once pro- 

 tested as a guinea pig was to be given to a classmate. He waved 

 his hand vigorously and said, "Oh, don't, don't give it to him! He 

 has a 'fraid!" There sat a weak, nervous, little fellow who had 

 poor co-ordination and who would probably have injured the animal 



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