Animal Friendship

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 25

Animal Friendship

“How dusty you arc looking,” said the small china Pekingese to his tall neighbour.

"You’ve done nothing but complain about my appearance ever since the last tenants left this house a week or so ago,” replied the big china sheepdog. "You have been crowing every minute of the day how you were dusted so carefully each morning and I was just flicked at. The last tenants were old maids who preferred Pekingese dogs to us larger dogs—anyway, I can see traces of dust appearing on you now.”

"Yes.” sighed the little dog, “I hope the new tenants will not forget to dust me. for I do so like to be spick and span.”

"Why are you so horrid to me?” asked the sheepdog.; “We haven't been on friendly terms with each other yet. and I'm sure you and 1 could be good friends, for you look as though you are not. really nasty."

"How I've been longing for you to say that,” exclaimed the poke. “1 have always been so jealous of you, from the time our real master preferred you to me. but now I found out that you are not at all ’stuck up.’ For a long time now I’ve been trying to ask you to be my friend, but as soon as I started to say anything, .the old fit of jealousy came on and I could only say spiteful things.” "You have been jealous of me!” exclaimed the sheepdog incredulously. "Why, it's the other way about. I used like to each other. It seems so funny,” he pondered, “that previous tenants have liked only one of us.” A week later a car was heard coming up the drive, and as it drew up in front of the house the two china friends waited excitedly.

“Well, we're here!” a tall lady laughed gaily as she stepped out of the car. “Come,- Maud, and see our new home.” A little girl of nine or so jumped down and looked eagerly around. “Let's explore while daddy is getting in the luggage,” she suggested, and the two ran up the steps into the house. The first, room into which they went was the dl-awing-room and, incidentally, the room in which the two friends were.

“Mummy,” gasped Maud, “look at the lovely little dog!” And she picked up the poke, “Why, it’s all dusty,” she said. “I’ll have to dust it,” and she commenced doing so with her small pocket handkerchief—the Pekingese's heart beat fast within his china breast. “Maud.” said her mummy, “look what I've got,” and she displayed the sheepdog. “Oh, how beautiful,” sighed Maud. “I didn’t see this lovely dog,” and she cud-' died a china dog in each arm. “I will be their mother and take special care of them, and I will dust them most carefully each day.” The two friends looked at each other with shining, painted-china eyes. —Original, by “Busier Boy” (16), Wellington.