People And Their Pets

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29910, 25 August 1962, Page 3

People And Their Pets

Animals and Ourselves. By Maxwell Knight. Hodder and Stoughton. 160 pp. As the title implies, this book concerns the human treatment of animals, of which Mr Knight has extensive first-hand knowledge. He has kept as a pet nearly every kind of animal it is possible for a private person to keep. He explains that the theme of his boox (which is written for a British audience. but has a message for other people) is that the attitude towards animals, and ideas about them and their behaviour and welfare, are much obscured by an emotional approach which carries with it two dangers. One is that in animals as being basically the same as human beings people are often “kind” only to be unconsciously cruel; while the other is that extremist animal lovers can get to a stage when mankind is forgotten and animals become an obsession Consequently, he offers advice that is not customarily found in books about animal pets. With the object of clearingup misunderstandings about animals’ reactions to humans. Mr Knight discusses extensively instinct and intelligence in animals. From his experience he gives some interesting examples that should impress even the extreme sentimentalist. Discussing dogs as pets, he deplores the inbreeding in the cause of fashion that has ruined many fine breeds. He quotes the modern wirehaired terriers which have bem “messed about” until

they have reached a stage when their narrow heads, stiff legs, stupid beards and so on produce a travesty of the keen, alert dog one should associate with this breed. Many of them would not recognise a rat if they saw or smelt one, he declares; while in addition they are prone to hysteria and unreliability. He is especially scathing about such oddities of human behaviour as giving pets’ coats coloured rinses: “Darling, how breathtaking little Popkins looks with her lilac coat. I really must have mine done too.”

Mr Knight gives a lot of good advice about behaviour to pets—feeding them correctly. disciplining and housing them ensuring that they have a satisfactory environment. He has interesting observations to make about such subjects as zoological gardens, performing animals, field sports, fishing, and about the use of animals in research. Many of his views, though firmly held and forthrightly expressed are, he acknowledges, most controversial. Readers may find themselves disagreeing violently with Mr Knight on one subject and heartily agreeing with him on another; but whether in the end they find themselves mostly in harmony or disharmony with him, readers will be unanimous that he has stimulated thought about the wide variety of subjects that falls within his theme. And if humans can be induced to think about their relations with animals, Mr Knight’s purpose will have k m fulfilled

In his column in the “Diners’ Club” magazine. Eddie Cantor says, regarding one-man shows. “I can count on one hand those who have made it: Chevalier. Montand. Garland. Kaye. Beia,fonte. Borge. Harry Lauder.” , Dorothy Q Cohen speaks for all of us when she says. “I would like to see that hand!”