DOGS AND SHEEP
Labels are never satisfactory for classifying men. We are, by repute, dog-lovers and this is a tradition, whether we pamper our dogs in our bedrooms or leave them to fend for themselves in the street or open country. There are many other labels, but I never heard anyone de- scribed as a sheep-lover, for pet lambs become a burden when they become sheep. History may say that lesser races have eaten dogs but we have never done so. We do eat sheep and how could we love them and yet eat them? A friend wrote to me about this outlook con- cerning dogs and sheep the other day. To reduce sheep-worrying dare any politician as much as contemplate increasing the price of a dog licence? he asked. I doubt it. 'A neigh- bour,' went on my friend, 'has lost twenty-two sheep and eight lamb ewes killed by two dogs in a night. The dogs were traced, an emetic given to prove their guilt and a burying party followed, but the owners of the dogs are working people and it is not anticipated that the large sum, covering the value of the sheep (at between £4 and £10 each) and the likely losses at lambing time, will be recovered.'
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