PETS

A pet is a symptom of caring. 

AFRICAN GRAY PARROT. Very talkative. Keep your fingers out of his cage; his beak is strong; he’s big.

 

BANTAM. Pint-sized chicken is a spunky character, likely to oust other pets that wander into his bailiwick.

 

CANARY. Comes in breathtakingly beautiful plumage. Sings in trills and long, sweet notes. Needs sunshine, love.

 

COCKATIEL. Like others of his ilk, is fascinated by sounds. May wind up quoting Shelley or Shakespeare.

 

CROW. If adopted when young, can often learn to talk. Unnecessary to split tongue. Swipes shiny objects.

 

CUTTHROAT FINCH. So called because male has bright-red band on throat. Friendly, small, happy.

 

DUCK. Will follow owner like a dog, come when called. If owner doesn’t call, he’ll call owner, quack-quack, for he’s a very sociable bird. Needs pond, or pan of water will do.

 

HALF MOON PARROT. Small, easily tamed. If you say “Oh, dear!” he may put it on his sound track.

 

JAVA TEMPLE BIRD. Decorative little fellow, a plain, ordinary sparrow in homeland. Males sing.

 

MYNA. He’s apt to pick up a wolf whistle and use it incessantly. Hates to be alone. Is bold and clever, talks.

 

PARAKEET. Tame a young bird to friendly attentiveness before teaching him to talk. Women or children make the best coaches.

 

 

PIGEON. Cooing, strutting, spectacular in flight, his feathers and markings are often gorgeous. A true home-lover.

 

SILVERBILL. He is positively operatic. Sits quietly between arias. Enchanting and very tame.

 

STRAWBERRY FINCH. Male, a flaming orange-red. Tiny, but very bright. Responsive, chipper.

 

TROUPIAL or Bugle Bird, is robin-sized, has stunning plumage, a sweet call. Soft food diet.

 

WHITE DOVE. Considered sacred, a symbol of peace. His ancestor flew an olive branch to Noah’s Ark.

 

ABYSSINIAN. Note those tufted ears like those of jungle cat ancestors. Ruddy coat, with each hair ticked with three bands of color. Dignified, quiet, likes to play statues in various graceful positions.

 

ALLEY CAT. His mother was a market mouser and his father a roving minstrel; he inherits no home. If you offer him one he may or may not elect to relinquish freedom.

 

BURMESE. All brown, no markings, shiny coat. A close relative of the Siamese, with yellow or chartreuse eyes. This short-haired variety is one of the friendliest, most placid, of cats.

 

MALTESE. Refers to all-gray cat, perhaps a throwback to a strain of short-haired blues. Often called blue cat. Now turns up in cross-breed litters; siblings may be any color of the cat rainbow.

 

 

MANX. Tailless, hair soft like rabbit fur. Erroneously thought to have been crossed with a rabbit. Comes from Isle of Man, where residents are called Manxmen. Nice kitty.

 

PERSIAN. Winsome, demurely regal. Brush long hair often to prevent hairballs when cat grooms own coat, and to forfend that lived-in look on upholstery or clothing.

 

SIAMESE. Talks more frequently than other breeds. Will follow like a dog, can be leash-trained, needs a lot of companionship. Light body color that tends to blend with darker color of points: seal, blue, chocolate or lilac.

 

TABBY CAT. Long or short-haired, striped pattern, various colors. The most familiar house cat, it needs to be cherished, takes the good life for granted, wants a home.

 

 

TORTOISESHELL. Characterized by cream, red and black markings. Always female. A familiar type produced by alley or tabby cat, not a separate strain, as are Manx or Siamese.

 

AIREDALE TERRIER. Loyal, brave, responsible. A big heart for people. Not always for cats.

 

ALL-AMERICAN HOUND. Mutt composite of all hound characteristics. Loves outdoors.

 

ALL-AMERICAN MIX. His mother was an Airedale and his father was a Dalmatiion – maybe! He’s a winner, anyway.

 

BASSET HOUND. Comically mournful mien, deep bass voice, nose to ground. Undeniably a character.

 

BEAGLE. Winsome when home. Disappears for days. On return, won’t look you straight in the eye.

 

BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND. Keen, comradely, affectionate. Needs room to run in. Restless if not allowed exercise, outdoor living.

 

 

BOSTON TERRIER. Tail stub vibrates. Sneezes when happy. Congenial, but no pushover with strangers.

 

BOXER. High IQ. Sweet, fun-loving, comedian. May scrap with other dogs. Train with inbred fistiness in mind.

 

 

CAIRN TERRIER. Frisky, affectionate, activity-minded. Out of that chair and let’s take a walk, mistress mine!

 

CHIHUAHUA. Pocket-sized pooch, endearing sense of doom. Trembles easily. Wants to be comfy, loved, secure.

 

COCKER SPANIEL. Runs with ears winging. Stares softly, soulfully. Mesmerizing. Can also glare.

 

COLLIE. Smart, protective, gentle. A busy-body, must know if family is safe.

 

DACHSHUND. Coat like satin. Cold nose, warm heart. Victorian sense of propriety.

 

DALMATIAN. Loves people even if they don’t have wheels; excitable, lives in a figurative firehouse.

 

FOX TERRIER. Sharp, sensitive, eager to learn. A natural for tricks. Sometimes high strung, but generally adaptable.

 

GERMAN SHEPHERD. Highly intelligent, can be over-protective. Choose one that is alert but gentle.

 

GOLDEN RETRIEVER. Soft mouth, loves to retrieve for hunters or housewives. Calm, gentle, good guide dog.

 

IRISH SETTER. Loving, active. Training can get his Irish up. A country squire, at heart.

 

IRISH TERRIER. Hardy, intelligent, pal and guardian of children. Gregarious. Adapts to country or city life.

 

LABRADOR RETRIEVER. Sweet, calm, smart. Loves to go wading, often has muddy paws. Great hearth-snoozer.

 

NO-PEDIGREE POOCH. Ragged individual. Don’t apologize for him. Most breeds began as mutts.

 

OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG. Behind shower of hair, find bright, laughing eyes. Comb him regularly; coat mats.

 

PAPILLON. Merry little muff, takes apartment life in stride. Content to be civilized.

 

PEKINGESE. Descends from palace dogs in ancient China. Wears tail like a train.

 

PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI. Easily trained, responsible. A natural-born baby sitter or playmate.

 

POODLE. Affectionate, clever, masters tricks. Loves to swim. Often has the fanciest hairdo in the family.

 

SCOTTISH TERRIER. Canny, clannish. Tail wags slowly for caution, blurs for love.

 

SEALYHAM TERRIER. Brisk, amiable, dignified. Can’t abide being dressed up, put in doll carriage. No nonsense, please.

 

SHETLAND SHEEPDOG. Obedient, alert. Will herd children in place of lost sheep.

 

WEIMARANER. Yellow eyes gleam with love, shrewdness, anxiety. Play up sweetness.

 

WELSH TERRIER. Keen but gentle, a cheerful conformist. Easily trained, good natured.

 

WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER. Top award winner 1962 Westminster Kennel Club Show. Hardy, happy.

 

WIRE HAIRED FOX TERRIER. Intolerant of tedium. Resourcefully playful, throws and catches own ball.

 

ANGELFISH. A stately swimmer, mates for life. Female lays eggs on plants. Male protects young.

 

BLACK MOLLLIE. He strikes an onyx note when he dives and zooms and idles in sparkling bright water. Fun to watch.

 

CATFISH. Spends life as scavenger on sandy bottom, is important for he keeps a tank clean and tidy.

 

GUPPY. Bears tiny young that hide among plants to avoid being eaten as hors d’oeuvres by other, bigger fish.

 

ANT FARM. Activities range from digging new tunnels to excavating new chambers. Watchers must figure out purpose of new room: garbage dump or storage bin? A quiet sport.

 

CRICKET IN CAGE. Chinese shops sell tiny cages to house these cheerfully chirping, house-loving creatures. To have one visit your hearth and home is said to be a sure sign of imminent good luck.

 

TARANTULA. See How to Care for Your Pet Tarantula.

 

BELTED DUTCH RABBIT. Stays small, has soft, black and white coat. Eats grains, greens, has angelic disposition.

 

BURRO. Sturdy, fuzzy, friendly, may push open door and come in house. Greets owner with joyous hee-haws.

 

CAPUCHIN MONKEY. The organ-grinder’s monkey. Keep cage locked when you’re away or there’ll be monkey business.

 

GUINEA PIG. Safe, equable. Wears a proper-Bostonian expression. Ecstatic over carrots. Squeals sociably.

 

HAMSTER. Fun to watch him tuck his food into cheek pouches. Has insomnia, loves midnight rides on treadmill.

 

KID. Soft, playful, makes spectacular leaps. Positively doesn’t eat tin cans, but tries anything once.

 

KINKAJOU. Related to raccoon, mischievous, playful, great gymnast, hangs by tail. Sleeps during day, loves night shift.

 

LAMB. Everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go. True even if name isn’t Mary.

 

MARMOSET. Kitten small, many varieties. Makes friends slowly, follow prescribed care. Winsome, wise.

 

NEW ZEALAND WHITE RABBIT. The Easter bunny in person. Choose a bachelor or maiden lady, avoid pairs, or face a full house.

 

SHETLAND PONY. Sure-footed, child-sized. Very nosy, he loves pasture where he can note comings and goings of family.

 

WHITE MOUSE. Small as a fairy, can snuggle in palm of a hand. Whiffly nose. Loves shredded-paper nest.

 

WHITE RAT. Enjoys handling. Albino form of ordinary rat with no fierce characteristics. Likes children.

 

WOOLLEY MONKEY. Gentle, endearing. Keep warm, draft-free. Eats balanced diet as do all monkeys. Coy when dressed up.

 

BABY ALLIGATOR. Must submerge in water, have a rock for sunbathing. Eats raw meat, fish tidbits.

 

BOA CONSTRICTOR. Gentleman, except to likes of mice, toads. Eats live food once a week. Get details elsewhere.

 

BULL SNAKE. Grows to six or seven feet. Amiable with people. An escape artist. Study up on caging, diet.

 

BULLFROG. Old popeyes needs water to sit in. Food must move: try earthworms, or wave meat on slim stick.

 

CHAMELEON. Moves quick as a wink. Don’t expect him to turn all decorator colors. Likes meal worms, spiders; sips water off plants.

 

CORN SNAKE. Varicolored. As with all snakes, if appetite is sluggish, warm him before feeding.

 

GARTER SNAKE. Will take worms, meat or fish bits from owner’s hand. An amiable little fellow.

 

IGUANA. Gentle, wants branch to climb on, water in dish or sprinkled plant. Vegetarian.

 

OAK TOAD. Damp earth’s a must. Eats worms, insects. Hold next to window where fly buzzes. He’ll gobble presto.

 

RED EAR TURTLE. Water to swim in, rock to sun on, and life’s complete. Feed underwater: meat, worms, fish.