Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1884 — Decorative Dogs. [ARTICLE]

Decorative Dogs.

Any one who has thought about it has noticed that the dog-star is in the ascendency now. No home is complete without a papier mache dog which is usually an artificial pug, the real article being much too high for ordinary service. Dogs of pasteboard are frequently seen in the window’s of even stately dwellings, w’here, half revealed, half concealed by the lace curtains, and held in place by a real brass chain and collar, they bear a strong resemblance to life, The skye terrier is a favorite for this purpose. To the back of the dog an easel is attached, and the animal is so naturally painted that dogs going by on the street have been known to bark at the faithful likeness. ” Bonbonniere dogs. —These are usually mastiffs or St. Bernard dogs of paper breed, whose heads come off, showing a hollow space within for the sweets. Probably more dogs have been manufactured this last year than ever before, one reason being that children are almost invariably attracted to the pictorial dog, and a favorite card to give away is ohe with a group of puppies, Terra Cotta dogs, for lawns and gardens, are always in demand. An amusing case is recorded of a man who possessed a'life-like animal of this pattern, upon which he was regularly taxed every year, the assessor having no doubt of the genuineness of the dog. The man paid the tax without a word, and, when remonstrated with by a friend, said it was the cheapest dog he ever possessed, as it ate nothing, kept tramps off his premises, and never got into trouble by biting anyone. The cemetery dog may be considered in a decorative sense as well as an emblem of fidelity and watchfulness. It is usual’y of iron or bronze, and is a stern mastiff with a mournful countenance. While ft is repugnant to the feelings of most people and contrary to the rules of all cemeteries to have living dogs there, the sculptured semblance of the animal is never denied an imposing position, either 'in couchant at the foot of the master’s grave, or on watch at the door of the dead.— Detroit Free Pres-<, It is believe that; four thousand comets have roamed through space since the records began. Most of them were invisible without a telescope.