A DOG’S LIFE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 July 1925, Page 15

A DOG’S LIFE.

“What sort of a life is mine? Well, taking it all round, it might be a great deal worse!’ •Yes, i am only a mongrel, but from what I can see and judging from the way in which many ox my highc;iass pals are Uobt.oreci and looued after, l would much rather be a s i am.’' “My master is one of the best and gives me as much freedom as I want — whereas if 1 were a show dog or a thoroughbred, doubtless I should be co jped up when iie was at business and for walks on a lead.” ‘ i can only just remember my mother and never saw my father, i was one of four and to my disgust was taken away from, my warm cuddlesome home against my. mother’s breast when 1 could scarcely walk, and sold for a fevv shillings. Ugnl l'was most unhappy for a while. 1 didn’t enjoy my meals and wa s so cold at night. JL was dragged out for walks with a collar round my neck attached to a cord and it was only with difficulty that 1 could keep up. I was treated a s a child and smacked for many things I did not understand. As 1 grew older, I learned to know what I could and could not do, with the result that I am more happy than most other dogo 1 meet.” ;; !. “We often have a pow-wow together and not the least important of the subjects discussed is bur food.” “My master has some idea of how to look after and feed me, but some of mv doggy pals have a rare thin time of it, . 1 can tell you. For the most part.they just get any old iood that'happens to be going, and that’s just about the most unkind way in which a master or mistress van treat their dogs. Most people profess to a certain amount of io.e towards their pets, but through ignorance cause them much unnecessary suffering. ■

;‘How should a dog be led? Let me te l you! Puppie,, who ar© just taken away from their mothers should be given warm bread and milk—not too much—but whether puppies or grown up dogs there should always be- plenty ot clean water to drink. On no account give puppies meat or hard biscuit—how can they eat and digest things without teeth to help. them. Puppies diet can be varied with one of the welj known biscuit meals, well soaked in warm water or milk—but not sloppy. As they grow up, dog biscuit in one form or another, should form part of the daily meals. Biscuits ‘can be bought for puppies and dogs, and they vary- m hardness and the amount of meat in them to suit the age' and siz© of the dog concerned. Table scraps are all .ery well occasionally—but dog biscuit we like best. It’s good for our jaws and teeth, and keeps u„ fit as well. You can’t go wrong if you follow this advice.’’ Before we were tamed and became as we are to-day, our natural instincts told us what to eat and what to avoid. These instincts have been dulled by •on —by civilisation: look after us then—it is our due.” “A dog’s life”—yes! It’s not so bad when you have a master who understands a dog’s simple needs.'’