Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] WEDNESDAY, 16th MARCH, 1932. DUMB HELPMEETS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 March 1932, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] WEDNESDAY, 16th MARCH, 1932. DUMB HELPMEETS.

From very ancient times a strong bond of affection has existed between man and his dumb helpmeets. The literature celebrating their prowess and their fidelity fills many shelves. A poem written, perhaps, 3000 years ago, describes avouching- re-union, and that the episode should have been mentioned is significant. Authors do not waste sentiment on matters alien to popular sympathy. We refer to the passage in Homer’s “Odyssey,” in which Ulysses returns to Ithaca after wandering about the Mediterranean for twenty years. Before he went forth to the siege of Troy he had a hound, Argos, of famous

breed, swift and fearless, ever foremost in the pursuit of the wild boar. This hound, now grown senile and enfeebled, was lying in the mire when Ulysses approached. The loyal Eumaeus did not identify his lord, but Argos, recognising him despite his disguise and the long- separation, weakly attempted to prick up his ears and wag his tail —“for more lie could not do”—and died. It is recorded that Alexander’s charger Bucephalus needed no rein in battle, and shared with his master the joys of victory. In the most ancient periods of which we have knowledge there is evidence that man regarded animals not merely as chattels, but as playmates and companions. Nevertheless, it is probably true that solicitude for them as a class is an attribute of modern civilisation. One can trace in the pages of history the increasing repugnance to the infliction of unnecessary suffering. Our ancestors revelled in bull and bear baiting. One recollects Macaulay’s caustic phrase that the Puritans objected to these diversions not because they gave these creatures pain, but because they gave the spectators pleasure. Nowadays, our attitude is quite different. There is a sincere prejudice against sports in which animals are victimised to make a citizens’ holiday. Deliberate cruelty to animals is exceptional. From time to time we

hear of cases which suggest that the offender is a sadist, but, fortunately, these cases are rare. More often “Evil is wrought by want of thought” rather than by want of heart, and it is the aim of the R.S.P.C.A. to remind us of this.