DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 309 



in gratitude for the poor beast's affections, be cautious to 

 protect it. 



Poetical as the dog is at all times, I know of no cir- 

 cumstance that develops more pathetically the disposi- 

 tion of the creature than that of pupping. At such a 

 time, the bitch in her agony seems to trust more confi- 

 dently in mankind. Animals that at other periods have 

 allowed no one to approach them, at such moments have 

 seemed to welcome me, and have appeared to compre- 

 hend the motive which brought me to their sides. To be 

 examined they submit ; and the pain it will often occa- 

 sion may cause the animal to cry, but it draws forth no 

 sign of resentment. The eyes are fixed upon the ope- 

 rator, as if to tell him of the suffering, and entreat for 

 his sympathy. The expression of the face is mild and 

 even plaintive ; but, if possible, still more appealing are 

 the endeavors the creature almost invariably makes to 

 assist her attendant's designs. She seems, by some pro- 

 cess that I cannot otherwise than consider to be a mental 

 one, to comprehend human motives, and to more than 

 appreciate our intentions. Her gratitude now would ap- 

 pear to be intense, and her confidence to be boundless. 

 Where I have reluctantly been necessitated to resort to 

 force, the dragging of a dead pup through a swollen pas- 

 sage has produced the pain which brought a sharp shriek 

 from the animal ; the agony has been such that even 

 the fortitude of the canine parent could not silently sus- 

 tain ; and under Its almost maddening influence, the head 

 has been turned instinctively to bite. The natural im- 



16* 



