Our Pet, “Spottie” by R. P. Robinson

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, Nos. 39, 40, Harvest Ingathering Number

Our Pet, “Spottie”

By R. P. Robinson

BY R. P. ROBINSON

THE boys and the girls will be interested in our pet leopard that we captured near our mission. Spottie is about five months old, and we have had her four months and a half. She is three feet long from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail, and is about a third grown.

Most people would be afraid of a leopard of that size, but Spottie is just like your dog or cat. Mrs. Robinson has come to think so much of her that often she grabs Spottie up in her arms, big and heavy as she is, and gives her a big hug. Spottie thinks so much of Mrs. Robinson that she often rubs her big head against her. I have never seen any other animal show so much seemingly real affection as Spottie shows toward my wife. She does not try to scratch or bite either of us.

She is a beautiful animal, with her long, graceful body covered with black spots. A month ago, the new fur began to come in very short and thick, showing all the spots so clearly. She is fat and full of life.

We give her all the cooked meat and milk she wants. She has not tasted raw meat. When we leave the house, we shut Spottie in the kitchen or in a cage we have. As it really takes more time than we have to spare to take care of her, we must take her to the little zoo in Bulawayo, where they said they would be glad to have her. We think so much of her, and she is such a pet, that it will be a hard parting when we have to take her away.

Near Bulawayo, Africa.