AT LAST! The crowning and final effort of my life - for dogs - is accomplished, and this third and final edition of "EVERYTHING ABOUT DOGS" is out.

Many days and nights 'till the clock would strike up to three in the morning, have I sat at my desk and written, handicapped by my eyes, (one of them having been operated on and a cataract removed), and when I started this book I was afraid the strain on them would be more than they could stand, but took the chance, for I felt it was my duty to dogs, because I knew how much good it would do dogs, to get to the dog owners of this country what is in this book, and my reward for all this labor of love is ever present within me, and I am now fully repaid, aside from the profit consideration part of it in dollars, and this part not so great as it should have been, due to the inflated cost of paper and everything else pertaining to attempting to get out a book in war times, but I never started to do anything and changed my mind, or failed to get through with it. I've had human friends "change their minds" - and fail me - in time of need, but never a dog - and this is another "difference" between a man and a dog. The word "man" used here, applies to both sexes in humans - as I have found it, even if the women are now voting in several states. I want to say, before going any further, that I am not writing through any spirit of egotism or self-flattery, not "throwing bouquets at myself" - (never could stand for this in anyone), and I hope you will not misjudge me as to this, for I've been truthful and honest all my life, and will keep it up this way. There never was another "dog book" just like this - others may be larger, more pretentious, the language used of a higher grade - and all that, but this book is what I believe, and feel, will accomplish its aim - to do good to clogs - and that's what I wrote it for. There is so much in the book that is good (not all my own real knowledge), but this book means, and is the best knowledge that could be gathered together, from my experience of all my life in dogs, and of others, more wise than I.

It has all been done for dogs, my love for clogs, my earnest and uppermost desire through all the many years of my life - do good to dogs, and I have been hunting for - saving up - trying and digesting carefully, everything herein, so as to feel reasonably sure it was good for dogs, and the book is put out with a most comfortable feeling that it will do a mighty lot of good to dogs. Humans may "bite" you, (watch out for that bite, for I know), but never will your dog bite you - and harm you. Often bitten by dogs I have been, but the dog did not know he was biting his best friend, but the humans who did "bite" me - they knew.

My father was a minister for forty years, and I used to have the idea that I would get into Heaven on the "family ticket," but I now believe, that should I fail on this, that what I've done for dogs will pass me in - (or ought to) - anyhow, I've two chances. I made my will not long ago, and in it a provision as to a home for each of the dogs in the kennel when I am called away, (you should do the same), and when it's time to go to the mysterious beyond, about the last comforting feeling will be, that my loved dogs will be cared for nearly as well as I have done for them.

In a preface to a former edition I said to own a thoroughbred dog, so as not to have to apologise to your friends when they saw your dog, but I want to change this now - to, own a dog - any kind of a dog, even if not pedigreed - just so it's a dog - so you can make that one dog happy. My heart aches, often, when I see a poor homeless cur on the streets, hungry and thirsty - and if it were possible, I would take that dog home - but there is a limit to everything. That night, after in bed, I lay awake, thinking of that poor, homeless dog I met on the street in the city today.

By this time many who read this will have decided that I am a "krank" - so I am - as to dogs - and proud of it. The "curs" you see on the streets, homeless and friendless, are to be blamed for, because of the owners of female dogs, that were not kept up, but were allowed to run loose on the street when in season, (but should have been), and here is where the mongrels come from. There ought to be a law in every state that when a female is in season, she must be kept confined till over it, or, a penalty of a fine of twenty-five dollars, for here is where these "curs" come from. If you see or meet one of these poor "unfortunates," if you can't give him a home yourself, try to get some friend to take the dog and give it the home any and every dog deserves.

Twenty-two thousand of my former two editions of this book were sold, a wonderful record, beating the combined sales of all the other dog books ever published, and I only wish it were possible to publish the thousands of letters I have received unsolicited - for they have made my heart glad - often - when it needed it too.

You can't do too much for dogs, and all you do for them they will repay you a hundred fold.

When you get a dog, arrange to care for it properly; provide a suitable place for it to live and sleep, and especially see to it that your dog gets plenty of exercise, which is as essentially necessary as food and water to keep it in health.

When you take your dog for a walk, teach him to mind you; if he runs too far ahead, call him back, and never allow him to cross over the street ahead of you, as any dog is liable to do should he see another dog on the other side. A dog's judgment is faulty as to how quick he can get over in front of a car coming, and when he sees the other dog he forgets all this and doesn't see or hear the electric car or auto that is rapidly coming up or down the street. Many a dog has been killed this way, even when out with his master or mistress, because they were not watching out for their dog. When you come to a street crossing, look and see if any car is coming; stop a second, see that your dog is behind you and that it stops; then, if the coast is clear say "All right, come on, Jack!" Your dog can soon be taught to follow and mind you. The writer has for years past taken out from fifteen to twenty dogs at a time every afternoon for a walk on the streets of Cincinnati, and all under such control that by the crack of a whip they would all stop at a crossing, and a second crack and say "Go!" over they flew, and enjoyed it, too. With only one dog for a walk no danger need ever befall him if you are watching out for him as you should do.

If your dog gets into the bad habit of running and barking at a horse, bicycle or a person, break him of this at once by calling him to you there and then; scold him and switch him sharply over his back - any dog can soon be broken of this by proper punishment at the time, or of any fault if he is punished and knows what it is for. Whipping a dog after the fault does no good and is only an unnecessary infliction. Whipping is not necessarily cruelty any more than it would be to punish your child when it needed it, and children need it oftener than dogs do. Get a rawhide, keep it handy, and when your dog needs it give him a few sharp cuts across the rump or back, which will smart and sting, and he'll remember it. Never strike him over the head or kick him, which is brutal. Don't get angry yourself, keep cool, for the dog can notice this the same as your child could, and the punishment loses its effect. Your dog loves you from the first hour you have him, and he'll love you none the less for a deserved punishment.

Whipping is not necessary with all dogs, scolding answering the purpose in many cases. Dogs possess so much intelligence that a good scolding, especially in older ones, will do just as well, and I consider it preferable. I have dogs now that act heart-broken when I scold them and continue so till I again talk to them and "make up" by saying, "Don't you know, Jack, that you were a very bad dog?" and. "Now if you'll be good I'll forgive you, but you mustn't do so any more." Then see how happy Jack is and how he'll jump all over you for joy.

You can reason with all dogs. The "punishment should fit the crime," and therefore use judgment. When your dog deserves praise, don't be stingy about giving it, but talk to him; he'll understand your words and caresses, and by his actions, the loving looks from his eyes and the wag of his tail, he'll show you how much he appreciates it.

As to giving sulphur to dogs, this is an old tradition handed down from no one knows where, and here is where many dog owners make a mistake. If your dog gets sick your neighbor will say: "Oh, give it some sulphur." Whoever invented this idea knew very little about dogs. Sulphur in its place is all right, but a continual use of it to excess thins the blood, weakens the dog, and does harm far more than good. Many a poor dog has been overdosed with sulphur when it did not need it at all. I've heard of people keeping a lump of sulphur in the dog's drinking pan, and in this case it did no harm nor any good, for you can leave a lump of it in water for ten years and the dog never gets any of it, because sulphur and water do not mix, and it only serves to give the water a nasty taste in the imagination of the dog. Sulphur given about once a month in summer is all right for grown dogs; the proper dose being for large breeds, a good teaspoonful of flour of sulphur smoothly mixed in milk, to be given before breakfast; an even teaspoonful for smaller breeds. It can also be given mixed up in molasses, which will, however, act more quickly as a physic.

If you live in a flat, or have no yard so the dog can get grass, you can plant some grass seed in a box and have it all the year around for your dog to eat. Get the seed of the kind of grass that dogs like - any seed store has it - and you can just as well raise and keep grass for your dog as you can raise flowers indoors. Keep box sitting on floor so dog can go to it when he wants to. You provide the grass, and he'll do the rest.

This preface or introductory, is about all I can say - it seems to me it has covered the subject, but read all the rest in the book, under the several headings, so you don't miss anything of all the good things this book contains.

So I'll close, by dedicating the book to dogs, and their owners.

Faithfully yours,

AL. G. EBERHART.

CARD

This Book

I AM A VERY BUSY MAN IN DOGS.

My mail is heavy and my time valuable.

Should contain - as I have tried to make it - all necessary information and which I hope you will find in it, by a careful perusal - but if you don't so find and deem it necessary to write me as to any special case, such letters must be accompanied by an enclosure of One Dollar to receive attention. This course is rendered necessary to justify me for time spent. You SHOULD find in the book, advice and treatment for every case of a sick dog - and I hope you will - if not, then write.

AL. G. EBERHART.