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Let its forelegs be bent So that it shall not desire to wander far, Or leave the Imperial Precincts.
Let its body be shaped Like that of the hunting lion spying for its prey;
Let its feet be tufted With plentiful hair that its footfall may be soundless; And for its standard of pomp, let it rival the whisk of the Tibetan yak, Which is flourished to protect the Imperial litter from the attacks of flying insects.
Let it be lively, That it may afford entertainment by its gambols; Let it be discreet That it may not involve itself in danger; Let it be friendly in its habits that it may live in amity with the other beasts, Fishes, or birds that find protection in the Imperial Palace.
And for its colour Let it be that of a lion - a golden sable, To be carried in the sleeve of a yellow robe, Or the colour of a red bear Or of a black bear, or a white bear, or striped like a dragon So that there may be dogs appropriate to each of the Imperial robes.
Let it venerate its ancestors And deposit offerings in the dog cemetery Of the Forbidden City on each New Moon, Let it comport itself with dignity, Let it learn to bite the foreign devils instantly.
Let it be dainty in its food That it shall be known as an Imperial dog by its fastidiousness.
Sharks' fins and curlews' livers And the breasts of quails, on these it may be fed.
And for drink give it tea that is brewed from the spring buds Of the shrub that grows in the province of Hankow, Or the milk of the antelopes that pasture in the Imperial Parks.
Thus shall it preserve its integrity and self-respect; And for the day of sickness let it be annointed With the clarified fat of the leg of a sacred leopard, And give it to drink a throstle's eggshell full of the juice Of a custard apple in which has been dissolved three pinches Of shredded rhinoceros horn, and apply to it piebald leeches. So shall it remain - but if it die, Remember, that thou too art mortal!
These are the Pearls Dropped from the Lips of Her Imperial Majesty Tzu-Hsi Dowager Empress of the Flowery Land of Confucius.
Names of Sheeza's Ancestors
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Sheeze is a female Pekingese and is about 8 years old. She is a worthy representative of the breed standard and its attributes, which include intelligence and a proud and independent character. She is fiercely protective of her domain and is extremely loyal, alert and fearless.. |
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