MORE ABOUT DOGS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1929, Page 12

MORE ABOUT DOGS.

■■■ 11 , I ■ (To the Editor.) Sir,—Just a little suggestion that might help to bring about an armistice in the great Dog-war now being waged. On reading recently the Life of Luther Burbank, the famous' scientific breeder, I was much struck with the miraculous performances accomplished. By selective breeding he produced the pip-less orange, the spirie-less cactus, and other similar wonders. It then struck me why should the owner of the Invergrey stud not have a try at evolving a barkless dog, by in-breeding from those animals whose voices approximated most to the sotto voce. Or by adhering to a strain of dulcet-toned dog, one might eventually hit on a silvery tenor breed or even a whispering baritone, which would enliven the suburbs with their notes, and add greatly to the gaiety of mankind. I read with much interest the ex pert’s article in your Saturday edition, explaining how each and all of its—however humble—can be the. proud possessor of happy, smilixxg dogs.. In the good old days, according to those touching lines of Wordsworth (or was it Byron?), when the cow jumped over the moon,; it is recorded that “the little dog laughed to see such sport.” Happy dogs of happy days! But now base commercial ideas have brought about a heavier type of cow that makes this stunt difficult and expensive to put on. In consequence, one is compelled to resort to wearisome throwing.; about, of ah elusive rubber ball, whereat the aog<- ■ (no longer in laughing mood, but riled at the cheapness of modern entertainment) shows his feelings by yelping in various keys. There is no need at all to fall back, on i snubbing the dog doctor or keeping him away. Rather should he be encouraged to call often, and when any of those weird moanings are heard, let him seek diligently for some deepseated internal trouble, and earn the gratitude of the Shakespeareans by curing or killing.—Yours etc., DOG-SICK. ■—i