THE DOG. 



It Las happened, in 

 writing of certain ani- 

 mals included in this 

 eeries, that some sort 

 of justification, or, at least, explanation, was necessary for 

 including them among Home Fets. As regards the creature 

 now under consideration, however, he claims his right to 

 the title of Home Pet, — nay, as something infinitely more 

 dignified, — as Home friend and protector. He has proved 

 his right. It has been acknowledged more than two thousand 

 years, and doubtless would have been a very, very long time. 

 V^iore, but at that early period, he was only common to 

 JB;astem countries, whose inhabitants, as is the case even to this 

 da,y, as a rule treat the faithful fellow with unjustifiable contumely 

 and contempt. As truly says Cuvier, " the dog is the most 

 complete, the most singular, and the most useful conquest ever 

 made by man. The dog, far more than any other animal, 

 becomes a humble friend and companion of man, often seeming 

 35 



