n, asserting she was
about to retire from the Boston terrier game, as it cost her too much to
furnish photos of her dogs to people from all parts of the country, who,
under the guise of wishing to buy dogs, wanted photos and pedigrees of the
same. They usually stated that if they did not purchase the dog, the photo
and pedigree would be promptly returned. This was the last she ever heard
of them, and pictures were rarely if ever, returned. As her photos were
taken by a first class photographer, the cost was considerable, and the
photos were really works of art, which, perhaps, may be one reason why the
recipients could not bear to let them go back. She was a lady of large
wealth, and she had established a kennel of real Bostons, presided over by
an expert kennel-maid, and would have become a genuine help to the breed,
but "pictures" were her undoing.

Since the American dog has become the most popular breed in the canine
world, many people, who cannot afford to purchase a choice specimen, seem
to rest satisfied when they can obtain a photo, and they have no scruples
apparently in writing to the leading kennels for pictures of their leading
dogs. I have had many instances come under my notice, but, for want of
space, only one typical case can be mentioned.

A few years ago, on visiting a city a short distance from Boston, I was
accosted by a young man, rather flashily attired, who invited me to call
and see his kennels, assuring me he had some crackerjacks. As I was
unaware of the existence of any number of A-1 Bostons in his neighborhood,
my curiosity was aroused and I went. I found the dogs quartered in a back
room in a very small house. I have never seen such a collection of the
aristocrats of the breed before or since.

When I found my voice, I managed to exclaim: "Allow me to congratulate
you, my dear sir, I have never seen so many good dogs kenneled in so small
a space before. You are certainly a very lucky man; the food problem never
troubles you; you do not have to dodge the tax collector; no need ever to
call in a vet.; no neighbors can ever complain of being kept awake at
night, and the dogs that are tacked upon the ceiling seem just as content
as those pasted on the walls."

He then produced his book where the pedigrees of the dogs were neatly
recorded. The trouble is, he is not the only one who owns such a kennel of
thorough-breds.

It must not be inferred from the above that I am averse to picture taking