CHILDREN'S ANIMALS AND PETS 37 



children and the common sense of the parent or teacher 

 must supply the rest. 



The Dog.^ — This was the first animal domesticated by 

 man and the only animal that the North American Indians 

 had tamed before settlement of the country by Europeans. 

 The reasons for this are to be sought in the character of 

 the dog and in his value to man. Let the children 

 illustrate from their own pet dogs so far as possible, and 

 from observations that they have been able to make for 

 themselves, each of the following points : fidelity and 

 love for master, unselfish devotion, courage, strength and 

 endurance, intelligence and docility, ability and willing- 

 ness to learn. Study the dog's work in the hunt, his 

 keen scent and ability to track game, his speed and 

 endurance, his passionate love of hunting and retriev- 

 ing game ; the shepherd dog, his work with flocks 

 and herds ; the watch dog. The following topics will 

 appeal to the children more strongly : the dog as a 

 companion and playfellow ; the games and tricks of 

 dogs, — fetching sticks or balls when thrown, retrieving 

 from water, drawing sleds and carts, sitting up, begging, 

 speaking, etc. 



Among the many who keep dogs but few know how to 

 take proper care of them. Most people overfeed, thus 

 allowing the dog to grow fat, lazy, and stupid. For an 

 adult dog one meal a day, given in the evening, is gener- 

 ally better than two or three. It should consist of dog 



1 Read to the class the best story you know about a dog, e.g., Castle 

 Blair, Shaw; Helvellyn, Scott; Rab and his Friends, Dr. John Brown; 

 Don, J. T. Fields ; To Flush, my Dog, Mrs. Browning ; " How William of 

 Orange was saved by his Dog," Motley's Rise of the Dutch Republic. 



