Nothing in the world is more natural than the child's desire for pets. There are few children who do not early manifest a strong inclination for something to love, and this imperative desire, if fostered, becomes a powerful agency for the child's growth of character. Every little girl loves her doll, but often she becomes dissatisfied and longs for something alive, something which will return her caresses. A mother who has a growing family must do something to keep the little hands and minds busy, and at the same time out of mischief. Perhaps the mother is very busy, or if she gives the matter any thought, she may dislike animals and consider cats a nuisance, dogs noisy, birds a great care, rabbits destructive, and white rats dirty. She may wonder why the children do not love their home and how it is they are always teasing to visit that home where the children have pets of various kinds, "a perfect menagerie," as she scornfully calls it. Alas! How many mothers and fathers .cherich their selfish ease and consult their convenience, without a thought of finding their highest enjoyment in the true development of their children.

"Our first plea in favor of children owning pets is the desire for personal possession which every child has. The- wish for something that shall belong exclusively to himself and be cared for by him. This care, this responsibilit can not fail to make a boy more manly and a girl more womanly.' The thought for food and comfort of the little animals tends to develop all that is strong and tender in the child's nature. Show us a boy or a girl that is cruel or brutal to animals and we will show you a child sure to come to some bad end; but the child who early learns kindness and gentleness to the brute creation will also manifest the same spirit toward his fellow creatures.

"Children are, as a rule, fond of animals; and by no means can kindness be so thoroughly inculcated in them as by the care of pets.

"People who do not love animals have something seriously wrong in their constitution. A great man once said, 'I would not give much for that man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.' A man who kicks his dog and beats his horse will abuse his wife and children. When you encourage a child in the care and gentle treatment of all creatures, you influence him to become a true gentleman or gentlewoman, and you give the world one who will expand in life and become a tender father and worthy citizen. Every child should know at a nearly age that sincere kindness in all relations of life is highest Christianity. * * * Allow the children a pet dog, because dogs are so devoted, so intelligent, so faithful that they are ready to sacrifice their lives for those they love.

"Once kind to animals always kind, and the man or woman whose heart is touched by the dumb look of dependence or unselfish interest in brute nature cannot be wholly bad though public sentiment may make he or she a criminal.

"All animals are God's creatures with an intelligence a little lower than our own; they are moreover dumb and helpless and should appeal to every noble-hearted person for protection. The curse of the world is heartless-ness, selfishness and cruelty.

"Animals are God's object-lessons, and the only object-lesson in Nature into which he has breathed the breath of life."

Sir Walter Scott's eulogy: "The Almighty, Who gave the dog to be the companion of our pleasures and our toils, hath invested him with a nature noble and incapable of deceit. He forgets neither friend nor foe, remembers with accuracy both benefit and injury, and hath a share of man's intelligence but no share of man's falsehood." Not only have poets honored and glorified the courage, patience and fidelity of dogs, but the world's greatest artists have portrayed their humility and affection. There is also positive proof that in the Pharaonic age, nearly sixty centuries ago, dogs were the companions and friends of kings, and each had a name of its own, and this at a period when only those whose personality was recognized were ever given a name.