the sun, or is otherwise
damaged. If you should chance to forget to feed him for forty-eight
hours, he would not run as much risk of injury, as during three hours
of thirst in hot weather. There should be a piece of joist under each
end of the dog-house, to keep it off the ground, in order to avoid
dampness. In summer an excavation, two or three feet in depth, should
be made under it, and left open at both ends, that the animal may have
a cool retreat during the heat. Those who do not object to a trifling
expense, may have the house posted on a large paving-stone, with an
excavation under it, as before recommended. All burrowing animals seek
the earth in hot weather. Everything on the surface is heated; their
own instinct dictates the most reasonable method of sheltering
themselves from the heat, at the same time absorbing the cool
exhalations from the ground. In southern climates, especially, this
method is all important. In this manner I have kept dogs from the
polar regions, in comparative comfort, whilst many native-born and
neglected have been scalded into fits, paralysis, rabies, or
hydrophobia.

"In the hot season, with young dogs, raw meat should be avoided,
except it be quite fresh, and then they should not be over-fed,
especially if debarred of abundant exercise, and excluded from their
own natural medicine, grass. A dog will often thrive better on raw
meat than on any other food, and will grow larger; but he should be
fed with discretion, and his health attended to, should his diet
visibly disagree with him.[V] He will grow fatter and be more healthy
on moderate meals than if overgorged. The better plan is to ascertain
his average consumption, and then allow him a little less. Keep his
digestion in good order, and disease will rarely trouble him. His coat
and ribs will generally indicate whether he be sufficiently cared for,
whether he be sick or sound in his digestive organs; feed him always
in the same place, and at the same hour: once a day is sufficient, if
he be over six months old. By being fed only once a day he is less
choice, and will consume what he might refuse, if his appetite were
dulled by a previous meal.

"Should you require your dog to be watchful at night, feed him in the
morning; if you would have him quiet at night, feed him late, and
don't leave him bones to gnaw. Dogs are pretty quiet, during the
digestive process, when left to themselves, and should not have much
exercise after a hea