Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1912 — Strong Appeal for Keeping Animal Pets [ARTICLE]

Strong Appeal for Keeping Animal Pets

By L. JARDINE, Omaha, Neb.

Why is it necessary to assume, as most of those discussing the matter seem to do, that only childlc.ss women keep pets? The fact is that some people love animals and others do not, and whether or not one has children has nothing, .to do with it. I should say that the woman whose.patience and charity are wide enough to include even the lower orders of the Creator’s great family, would be the one least likely to shirk the duty of motherhood, and best fitted for its fulfillment. It happens that in my own acquaint-

< ' ' a nee the women who are most fond of dogs ! and cats are devoted and industrious mothers of families. Moreover,! there are just .as, many men as women who find pleasure in petting and caring for animals; and normal, properly brought up children are almost invariably fond of them.. 1 ’ j The discipline of learning to treat with kind consideration the household creatures whose comfort is so entirely dependent upon the thought- 1 fulness of their “big brothers,” is as valuable a training in character as a child receive; and the child who has never known the fun of romping with a jolly fbur-footed playmate in a spirit of mutual good fellowship has missed one of the keen delights of child life.