As a means of eking out a small income

As a means of eking out a small income

As a means of eking out a small income

As a means of eking out a small income, dog breeding is occasionally successful, supposing the breeder to possess advantages in the way of proper quarters, and plenty of time to spare, natural aptitude not being wanted; but I should greatly hesitate to suggest to a poor lady, without experience in dogs, that she should embark capital in such a venture. Many people seem possessed with the idea that they have only to buy a female dog, or dogs (generally the latter, since the novice is always inclined to split upon the rock of overcrowding and overstocking at first), and get it mated with some well-known sire, to ensure a fine, healthy litter of pups, which can be immediately sold at high prices, having in the meantime been fed on dog biscuit and attended to, more or less, by any one who happens to be at home. No greater mistake! If you want to succeed with toy dogs, you must, at any rate until you have considerable experience and, in addition, the ability to direct others and make them understand, which is never an easy task, look after the pets yourself, not spasmodically, but regularly; see that they have exercise and proper food in proper quantity and variety, and at fixed and regular hours; you must have an eye always open to notice the smallest beginnings of illness a watchfulness servants, for example, never can comprehend, still less practise; and lastly, you must set an aim before you and keep to it with perseverance, even though you may, and probably will, often feel impatient and despairing. Then, too, you must be prepared to nurse the dogs properly if, or when, they are ill. Nobody can expect to be exempt from illness, dog or man, and good nursing is as needful in the one case as in the other. A sick toy dog must be kept clean, petted, sat with, talked to, and tempted with nice things, like a sick baby, for the little spirit has much to do with the tender frame, and pain and weakness need sympathy, and respond to it eagerly. A little toy bitch, accustomed to fly to her owner at every impulse, cannot be left to have puppies all alone though her fussy preparations, which may last all night, are rather wearisome. Some one must stay with her and comfort her until her troubles are over; otherwise, she will fret and worry until, when the pups do appear, she has no milk for them.