598 
HOME FOR LOST DOGS. 
admitted, bat afterwards looking as well, as happy—ay, and 
as grateful—as dogs could look. 
I have much pleasure in concluding this paper with a 
brief extract from a letter I received some time since from a 
very kind-hearted lady, who takes an active interest in the 
Home.” The writer says —“I happened to be at the 
f Home’ the other day, when a kind man brought in his arms 
a poor little Scotch terrier, whose feet were bleeding terribly. 
He had worn them to that state in his efforts to find his 
home, and at last sank exhausted on a gentleman’s door-step. 
He was placed by a keeper in the pen, with plenty of straw 
and food. Next day, he was comparatively well, and jumped 
upon his benefactor with every demonstration of delight, 
fondness, and gratitude. He had not been in the ‘ Home’ 
more than three days before he was claimed by a lady in the 
neighbourhood of Canonbury. This is one among the many 
instances of the good we may do, and the sufferings we may 
relieve, of these most intelligent and affectionate of God’s 
creatures—creatures so dependent upon man that they cannot 
possibly, in large cities, support life without our help.” 
Then follows a detailed account of other particularly in¬ 
teresting matters, from which 1 select the following :—There 
is yet another benefit arising from this charity, which you 
would not, perhaps, expect— the improvement in character of 
that much-abused race, the street boys. When our rules 
were first made, those best acquainted with the London 
world said, f We must strictly avoid giving any “ rewards” to 
those who brought dogs to the Home.” If not, we should 
do more harm than good, for even a few pence would induce 
boys to pick up and entrap the first animal they found 
without a protector.’ There can, therefore, be no mercenary 
inducement in the case ; and yet we have had numbers of dogs , 
in various states of wretchedness, brought in by poor boys .” 
A variety of letters, equally interesting, have reached me 
from other kind and tender-hearted ladies attached to the 
“ Home.” I have perused them all with feelings of delight, 
and made their contents known far and near. Nor have I 
failed of securing “ help ” in certain quarters. But the insti¬ 
tution requires constant aid, and I sincerely hope all readers 
of the Leisure Hour will assist in so good a cause. Pounds, 
shillings, and pence— all “ tell.” And only think of “ the 
reward held out !” A sight of numberless happy (and funny) 
dogs, their funny (and happy) tails wagging in endless grati¬ 
tude and glee for the liberality bestowed upon their ill-used 
race. 
