Kind Edwardian Animal Lovers Speak

The coat illustrated was designed for the use of the house dog when out for his daily exercise. 

The coat illustrated was designed for the use of the house dog when out for his daily exercise. It was made double, of heavy black cloth, bound with red ribbon and ornamented by brass buttons, two of which fasten it up the front. Instead of binding it with ribbon, red cloth could be used. This band which holds the coat down slips through two slits, made about two, and one-half inches from the bottom of the coat and fastens underneath. – From A. F.

The top of a Christmas tree is usually thin and unsightly, so every year we cut off the top of the children's tree and use it as a Christmas tree for the cats and the dog. We plant it firmly in a tub of wet sand and hang upon it fried smelts, catnip and a barley sugar dog for Rags. It is most amusing to see our pets help themselves to their presents and I think the family enjoy it almost as much as the animals do. – From F. M. F.

For years I have been giving the birds crumbs in the winter when the snow is on the ground. Last year, as a Christmas treat, I had the man who comes in from the country bring me a large bunch of ripened grain (rye) just as it was cut, and I tied it up in an old pear tree. Day after day the birds crowded upon that bunch and picked out the grain. I could almost imagine it was summer in my garden. – From Mrs A. L. Williams. —The Housekeeper Magazine

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia