2 DOGS 



must be endowed with something more than instinct. 

 Mr. B. B. Nichols, in his work on ' Animals,' says : ' It is to 

 me beyond belief that a man who has kept a pet, or has 

 walked about with his eyes open, or has read or heard 

 trustworthy tales of animals, holds that animals have only 

 indind and not reason. 



' At all events, dogs have intuitive ideas of right and 

 wrong, and I have seen them perfectly miserable when 

 they have done anything to offend their masters or mis- 

 tresses, and have remained in a state of fear until forgiven, 

 when only they are happy again, and will wag their tails, 

 which have been motionless during disgrace.' 



Dogs, like children, have great respect for power, and 

 take full advantage of love ; and that is why it is generally 

 said that ladies' pet dogs are rather wilful and disobedient, 

 because women never have the heart to let them taste the 

 whip, which is a necessity occasionally, however painful to 

 the mistress, for well-trained dogs are always more intelli- 

 gent and companionable than those who are only petted 

 and never educated. Dogs are of a very luxurious turn of 

 mind, not to say selfish, for they will, if allowed, always take 

 the most comfortable place on a sofa or chair in the room, 

 and if permitted to sleep on the bed prefer the very middle. 

 But their good qualities always outshine their bad ; for 

 where can anyone find more trusting and sympathising 

 companions ? They are faithful to their owners unto death. 

 How they fret and pine in the loved one's absence and in 

 illness can never be persuaded to leave the invalid ! They 

 will go without food to remain near, and will lie so quietly 

 in the room. Now and then, if the master is in bed, the 

 dog will walk towards it to see if all is well, wag its tail, 

 and then go and lie down again. They seem to understand 

 everything that goes on. I know they understand what is 

 being said, and have a way of communicating what they 

 have heard to each other. I will give an instance by 

 relating what I can vouch for. I was out walking one 

 morning with a fox terrier and a small Yorkie, and went 

 into a shop. The Yorkie was behind me at the door and 



