THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 33

THE KENNEL.

Br Tebbob.

Fanoier* and breeder* of dog* are cordially In»it*d to contribute to thi* column. “ Terror ” will endeavour to mako this department as interesting and up-to date as possible, but in order to do this he must have the cooperation of his readers, hence be trust* Ui6/ Invitation will b* cheerfully responded to.

Melbourne papers report that Mr J. Elliott is adding to his already strong kennel of cocker spaniels by the purchase ol a’ well-known Now Zealand winning bitoh, which is to bo mated to an imported dog before being shipped. The bulldog fancy ; s advancing rapidly in Dunedin, and scarcely anything of interest to fanciers can be heard at the present time unless it relates to tnac nn-cu. it sterns, however, that all one leans, even about bulldogs, is not necessarily true, for Mr Kogen informs me that he is not, as I reported last week, importing a bulldog. I am sorry I was wrongly informed, and can only hope that now that the idea has been suggested to Mr Rogen it may in due course •bear fruit. If any would-be dog fancier, however, is hesitating as to what breed would be most welcomed, I' would suggest the Newfoundland, for inqinries have frequently been made as to the possibility of getting a dog of that breed in the Dominion. As the present fancy outside of bu 1dogs seems to run to breeds of the toy description, however, I am afraid it will bo a long time before we shall see an imported Newfoundland. Many people are not aware of the fact that the dog possesses three eyelids. The third eyelid, technically called the “haw,’" ij the filmy screen that sometimes comes outover the bull of the eye, -and is often regarded as something m the nature of a toreign growth. 1 have often been spoken to about a nog “going blind” when in reality there is nothing the matter beyond an enlargement of this third eyelid. The function of the haw, indeed, is to sweep over the surface of the eyeball and remove any particles of dust or other foreign matter that mav bo there; but it has another use, too —it acts almost as a sort of clinical thermometer, and whenever a dog is badly out of sorts it expands itself, and thus gives warning—it may be of distemper or of jaundice, or of something unusual, anyway. When, therefore, there is no apparent reason for this enlargement of the haw, it will bo well to look closely into the dog’s general state of health, and proscribe medicine accordingly On no account, however, should anything be dono to the eyelid itself, unless it bo in case of inflammation of the eyes, and then the simplest anti safest thing to use is a little milk and water. In due course, when the illness, of which its expansion is a symptom, has passed, the haw will return to its normal hidden eonidtion. I have heard of all sorts of powerful astringent eye lotions being used for the avowed purpose of getting rid of the “film” when a dose of internal physic would probably put things right automatically.

“Medicus,” a Homo authority on diseases of dogs, writing to Our Hogs, strongly recommends all owners of valuable dogs to be possessed of a clinical thermometer. Ho says:—“By the aid of this useful little instrument it is possible at once to determine yvhethcr a dog is seriously ill or not. '(Jlitrcals’ are now made special'y for veterinary use, and arc marked with the normal temperatures of various animals, including horses, dogs, and cats. If a dog has any serious complaint, such as inflammation of t.hc lungs or of tire kidneys, he will always show a high temperature, and this is the warning his owner must act upon. Temperature and pulse work together. In health a dog should have a temperature of about 101.4d0g, and a pulsation of about 100 beats per minute. If cither is increased it is a warning of something serious, and a temoerature of 104 dog and upwards meajus danger of death. The best way to use a clinical thermometer to a dog is to oil the bulb and gently insert it into the rectum, keeping it there for three or four minutes. The temperature can i.lso bo taken by placing the bulb between the forelegs and the body; but this is by no means so accurate a method as the other I recommend every dog-owner, therefore, to get one of these clinical thermometers, and not only ’earn to handle it himself, but let his kcnelman also get to understand it.”

BILL TO PROTECT DOGS. —A Curious Committee Incident.— Standing Committee ‘A” met on June 16 in the House of Commons to consider Sir Frederick Banbury’s private measure for the protection of dogs. Mr Eugene Wason presided. It sought to provide that, from the passing of the Bill, it shall bo unlawful to perform any experiment of a nature causing, or likely to cause, pain or disease to any dog. with or without anaesthetics, and that no person or place shall be licensed for the purpose of performing any such experiments. Penalties of £lO for a first offence, £SO or throe months for a second, and £IOO or one year's imprisonment for any subsequent offence are named in the Bill. Before the committee had obtamed a quorum, Colonel Lockwood informed the chairman that a gentleman was at the door distributing pamphlets on behalf of the Research Defence Society, and suggested that tsitis was out of order. Sir Phihn Magnus questioned whether the chairman could rule on the point when the committee was not constituted. Mr J. G. Butcher. K.C., M.P., said there must be some limit to endeavours to influence the committee, and he asked the chairman to say that it was not proper for anyone to put into the hands of those who were to consider the Bill a pamphlet declaring that the Bill would destroy research. The gentleman was then asked to desist, tvhioh ho did. ’There still being no quorum, the committee adjourned to Wednesday, Juno 25. OX BUYING A BULLDOG. (The Field.) Buying a bulldog is a momentous undertaking to the ordinary person. I suppose there is a period in every man’s life when ho loses his heart to the awful grandeur of the king of beasts. The fever caught me young. Through the mist of memories the years stir up my thoughts wing back to the wild March, morning when I parted with

£lO 10s in solid gold for a ball of white with black spots that had waddled its way at once into my heart. A sudden resolve—and he was mine! But the responsibility which had come into my life unnerved me. Marriage I had contemplated with a. certain amount of heroic equanimity, but the rearing of a bulldog was assailing undreamt-of heights. A strange, indefinite fear filled my days and my nights. I was handicapped from the start. Bulldogs had not entered into rny scheme of things. So 1 was perplexed. My work neglected, I gathered information concerning food, exercise, and size of collars all round the clock. My native city took up the matter with enthusiasm, until the pup became not so much mine own as a local possession. Now a man would rush across the street with the name of a patent food, but just arrived on an already overcrowded, market; I was never safe for a game of pool at the club; and my rest was constantly broken by telegrams urging mo not to dally further, but to buy —at oneo ! The men in the office demanded a bulletin every day, and the pedigree soon became unreadable with the thumbmarks. My own intimate friends spoke of him as though ho wore a first-born. There was unrest at home as well as abroad. Directly I bad introduced the pup to the home circle ho sought intercourse with Joseph, our ycilow ogre of a cat. Joseph, not recognising this strange canine, spat unhesitatingly. [ was sorry, but I drowned Joseph—stealthfully, and by night. Joseph being the object nearest to the heart of tlie wife’s mother, there were wars and rumours of wars.

The house, as a result, became divided against itself. Perplexity filled the air. Everyone looked to me for advice; and so by day and by night the house was filled with a strange tribe of men, who came —at so much a head—to give mo h'nts. At first they invariably viewed me with amused interest; but later, under the influence of my whisky, they relapsed, and predicted wonderful honours for the pup and myself. But it puzzled me to hear one man say he was all right but for his head; a second to exclaim that if it weren’t for his legs . . .; and a third to express his unalterable opinion that, given another body, and a different tad, he wou'd be a fine dog, I could see at once I stood or fell by that dog. If he was a success, then my name would be handed round with ceremony; if — but I daren’t think of that issue. And so I put my back into the job (not to mention my pocket). For a week a family of masons (four sons and a father) had possession of the back garden, what time they reared a stately edifice of blocks and mortar in which the pup was to be enshrined. The hallowed spot was some 50 yards from the kitchen door, and the neighbours took the liveliest interest in watching mo make my excursions with boded sheep’s heads and steaming pai's of Osoko. The thing, indeed, became the one and only diversion of all the housemaids within visionary distance. Prom a nonentity in a. row of suburban villas I jumper! at. once into the limelight of fame. The postman pretended (somewhat elephantinely) to bo afraid of coming up the path, and the constable on his beat in the evenings winked knowingly, as if to intimate that I was a very terrible fellow indeed, and not to be trifled with under penalty of awful consequences. The nights being cold, we made a sleeping jacket (brown flannel, and very comforting) for the pun. I superintended the fitting myself—which will give you an idea of the mental turmoil I was in. A general planning a campaign in a foreign country could not have been more over-weighted with details than I was. And the pup seemed to know, and rejoice in his heathenish way, for every day ho would endeavour to pick up some trifling ill, which disappeared at the moment I was becoming distraught with a fresh wave of anxiety. So the days and the weeks went on. Each day a fresh battle to be fought, another obstacle to be overcome. With all the time that strange, indefinite fear haunting my footsteps. Not that I kicked; for, although I say it, the history of man’s affection for his dog can know nothing much sweeter than my love for the pup. And as for the pup—why, b.cfts you. I had only to whistle for him to jump—all the sixty-five pounds of him—into my arms, and lick my face in vociferous greeting. When ho* took his walks abroad it was at the end of a stout chain, and I never breathed freely until he was safe in his kennel again. There were the taxis and the cars, and the stray, sniffing curs that glared so fiercely upon his stirring beauty. Yes; the buying of a bulldog is a momentous undertaking. You do not know what terrors life holds until you have lost your soul to a bulldog’s front legs. Before, you had liver! a calm, peaceful, nondescript sort of life; now, every moment has its excitement, its seething unrest. But what, I ask you, is It all compared to the ecstacy of.the moment when, throned in glory ami "race, you see him on the show bench looking every inch a king, with the blue ribbon of merit hanging from that column of a regal throat? Does not vqur chest heave with pride, your eyes fill with waters of happiness? Was it not worth it. and would you not go through it all again? I know you would. My dear fellow, you could not help yourself. A beautiful woman and an ugly bulldog arc the two noblest works of creation—outside, of course, an honest man. “Constant Reader. —Give your dog a worm pill after starving him for 24 hours. Constipation is sometimes caused bv a bunch of worms stopping the bowel. I have just seen such a launch, and quite understand what a serious stoppage it wou’d create. After giving the pill, give a teaspoonful of Epsorn salts dissolved in a tub’espoonfa! of boiling water with a tanlospoonful of milk. r I his will start the bowel acting and expel the worms See the advertisement of Mr Conn, chemist, above this column.

PETS OR PEST? I got homo from tho city the other evening after a heavy day's work, and was "rooted as follows : “ George, darling, I’m afraid yon must put off your golf this week-end, as I am using the spare room, and we’ve nowhere to put Tom Brown.” “ Goodness,” said I. “ T didn’t know you were expecting anyone. Who's turned up?” “ Oh, no one,” said Mabel; “ only Silky Soft has presented us with a litter of puppies to-day, and I’ve moved her in there—it’s warmer than the ‘puppy’ room. I couldn’t find an extra blanket for her, either, so I took one off your bod —you’ve far too many, and it isn’t healthy for you to sleep with such a weight on your chest.” She turned to play with the little Pekingese that was rapidly pulling to pieces tho one

and only real satin cushion wo possessed. ‘‘Well, I’m bknvod!•” said I, not very originally; “ won’t you have a sheet as well, and perhaps the puppies would like to have my shaving brush or a sock or two to play with!”

“ George, don’t bo silly,” laughed my better half; ‘‘you know the puppies’ eyes aren’t open, and they can’t ’play’ yet. No doubt later on ” ‘‘Oh, well,” said I, “let’s have dinner; I’m famished !”

(Wo adjourned to the dining room.) “Chops again I” I groaned. “Why, we’ve partaken of precisely that form of nourishment. at least three times th : s week.”

“I know, dear; but how can I keep the puppies' noses back unless I give them plenty of bones to gnaw?” queried Mabel; “wo simply must have chops. There’s Twinky Twang now; I'm sure his nose ?s longer than it was last week, and I shall be so disappointed if ho doesn’t win at the next show.”

“Well, well,” I rejoined, “never mind. Perhaps wo can have pheasants to-mor-row ”

“ Oh. no, darling I” cried Mabel. “ Not pheasants—chicken, perhaps, as I don’t think the leg bones ” “ Oh, hang the leg bones!” said I. “ Why not buy twopenn’orth from the butcher ? ’ (No answer, so I presumed Mabel had not thought, of this.) “By the way, Mab..” I wont on. “T thought my sponge smelt very funny tins morning. Has anything happened to it? ’ “ Oh. dear!” sighed Mabel. “ I was afraid you might not oo it. I was giving Bnnkhe a sulphur bath yesterday, and it fell in No, I wasn’t using it for him . I’m so sorry; though it can’t hurt, you know: it's onlv the smell, and it tnav he a hit sticky of course ” My silence spoke louder than words ns I rose from the table. IT- Ki, C.