“GOING TO THE DOGS!”

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1022, 7 October 1909, Page 17

“GOING TO THE DOGS!”

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE CHIHUAHUAS. MISS CASSELLI AND HER CLEVER TROUPE. “ Now, then, Roosevelt, stop barking and lie down at once I Hold your tongue, Dewey ! Down, Adonis. Be quiet, Palatis. Out of the way, Togo. Bonita, behave yourself. It’s only me, children.” And ’midst a perfect babel of canine small talk, which was only silenced by the voice of the dogs’ mistress (Mdlle. Rosina Casselli), a representative of this journal made acquaintance with the clever troupe of dogs which are having their “day,” or their night, rather, at His Majesty’s ■Theatre.

Eighteen of them standing on pedestals, and all barking fiercely on our entrance ! For, small as they are, most of Miss Casselli’s dogs being no bigger than a cat (one only weighs 11/!lbs),I 1 /!lbs), they are savage little creatures, and woe betide anyone who lays a finger upon them if their beloved mistress or her niece, who assists her, is not about. They are a wild race of dog, and are natives of the Chihuahua Mountains in Mexico, seldom growing any larger than those Miss Casselli has with her. The Indians usually trap and sell them. “ But the breed is dying out,” said Miss Casselli, “ owing to the railroads being built through Mexico, and they are being driven further away into the forests., They . are ' quite the smallest race of dogs in existence, but they are also the They can do everything but talkt and they nearly do that. They understand me so thoroughly, and seem to know instinctively what I want them to do. They never forget a ‘ trick, indeed, they, know them better than I

do. It’s a wonder this breed has not been taken up by fanciers more than it has.”

Miss Casselli may practically lay claim to haying exploited the Chihua hua dog to public notice, for twelve years ago she was the means of establishing a dog class at the show in Madison Square Gardens, New York when her dog “ Old Man,” as he is familiarly , called,. took first prize. Since, then this special dog class has been included in the shows held there. “ This is ‘ Old Man,’ ” said Miss Casselli, lovingly lifting a little chap out of his cosy box. “ Thirteen years old —yes, you can stroke him with impunity, he hasn’t a tooth in his head! But he’s good for another tour round the world! ” This dog, it is interesting to note, is the chauffeur in the motor turn, so he’s decidedly worth taking care of in his old age. “He thinks he runs the act, too,” added his trainer, laughingly. “ Here’s Adonis” —a very handsome little fellow, who does not’ belie his name—“ he won’t have anyone blocking up the entrance, and soon clears them out. They don’t stand on the order of their going, either, I can tell you!” “There’s Monty; he’s pretty aggressive, too, when he likes. In Melbourne he took a great dislike to one of the stage men, and as soon as his trick was over he’d look about for him, and the poor man often had to fly for rescue to the top of the piano! They’re undoubtedly vicious little things when they’re roused, but I haven’t got a scar.” “ No need to ask your methods of training,” remarked the interviewer. “Kindness, patience and sympathy are evidently your weapons.” “Look how frightened they are of the whip, said Miss Casselli, flaunting it at.the. same time .in. front of them. Several of them . caught :-it and chewed the ends ! It- had; no terrors for them. “I simply couldn’t -whip them; why, it would seem like hitting a canary. The only time Ido . use it, though,'is when they fight amongst themselves, for they are terribly pugnacious.”

Miss Casselli was, as she puts it, born in the profession, having been connected with the stage all her life, and had considerable experience as a horsewoman. One of her brothers, Tom Casselli, who was known as Australia’s “Pet,” died. some 25 years ago, her remaining brother being a comedian in New York. She has always been exceedingly fond of animals, and prior to leaving-America had eight of these midgets for pets, and always had them with her when travelling. Leaving for an engagement in London with a big vaudeville company some years ago, she was told there would be trouble in landing her pets unless they were performing dogs, so she put them through some of the tricks she had taught them at home, and they were then allowed to land by the authorities. That was the origin of the performing troupe. Since then, of course, the tricks have been added

to considerably, until they have reached the stage of the marvellous. These dogs have performed at the Alhambra twice a year and two months at a time to crowded audiences, and for seven weeks out of the eight the Royal box was taken for the dog act only. After New Zealand they return to England, then to New York and on to ’Frisco. They are fed on the fat of the land—milk, crackers, force food, grape nuts and all sorts of dainties are given them in the morning. After their turn they have supper. “To-night they dine on kidney stew,” said Miss Casselli.

The dogs travel in special cagesEach has a hair mattress to sleep on in a separate box, and in cold weather (for they are used to an even climate) they have warm coats and flannel underclothes, so that no risk is incurred with them. “ We are our own surgeons, as you can see,” Mss Casselli remarked, pointing to the bottles, brushes and other medical impedimenta about. And we scarcely ever lose a. dog; we’ve only had four deaths, and that was through old age.” The dogs are guarded day and night, an-- assistant sleeping in the same room with them, while Miss Casselli herself looks after them with the zeal of a mother, so carefully does she study their various likes and dislikes. And they reciprocate the sympathy, too, and are as docile and lamblike with her as they are savage with others. “ Wait till you see them on their mettle to-night,” concluded Miss Casselli apologetically. And to the tune of a parting grow] from the alert Roosevelt, who objected to his quarantine territory being invaded, the “Review” representative withdrew.