Better Than Men

the lower animals worthy of the attention of the human animal, stands for rather a serious proposition which may be ques

dent of human nature may appear irreverent to an unpardonable degree. Usually, to the minds of such observers, humanity is accepted for its traditional value, regardless of established conditions or inherent actualities. Such investigators in

rn into this world morally corrupt and completely depraved, but that they 3 have within their control for ready application an appropriate panacea for a certain cure of these natural defects. But the optimist neither admits th

ds largely, if not entirely, upon home training and the care bestowed upon them by the government under whose laws they exist. Strong, healthy, intellectual, and moral parents, aided by a wise 4 and honestly administered government, assist each other in forming characters which make fine

onger with time, and their almost perfect and complete development is natural, and continues without aid, example, or instruction. Not more than one dog or horse in a thousand, if kindly treated and left to

ir eyes or the other organs needed for physical purposes. The affection of the dog for those whom he loves is actually boundless. It has neither taint of selfishness nor has it limits, and it can only be extinguished with the loss of lif

ily task will yield willing obedience to orders; but he is a knowing and cautious constructionist, and seldom goes outside of the strict line of duty. He will always fight for his own master or fr

n of qualities which render them fit and useful companions 7 for man, they stand quite by themselves. The question of treating animals with kindly consideration is usually disposed of by saying they are not capabl

theory of th

appreciated the value of a critical moment, and estimated not only the magnitude but the quality of the danger. No human being could have taken in the whole situation more completely or caused the

ing item of testimony in favor of the intellectual development of one of the lower animals. The gradual and certain unfolding of his

eing. His accurate holding of knife, fork, and spoon, his perfect knowledge of their use, and the delicate app

ts every day to utter his thoughts, would make a convincing list of items all goi

t the whole matter over with reference to means of communication with those he cared to converse with, and then, from out the store of his natural capacities, invented an

ate idea, came from kind treatment and constant contact with his keeper and th

behalf of spreading abroad a better understanding of the nature of our four-footed friends and servants, who give so much and receive so little in return. The better appreciation of their exceptionally fine qualities

ese sketches are nearly all based upon personal experiences and observations of my own. They are my plea for their greater civil rights—at least in the way of kindness and appreciation. Incidentally I have given such local color to the