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Cat and dog flea.

Flea

Cat and dog flea.

An illustration of five fleas dancing on a platform. Two fleas are dancing together as a pair and the other four fleas are flying off of the platform.

Flea Dance

An illustration of five fleas dancing on a platform. Two fleas are dancing together as a pair and the…

An illustration of four fleas competing in a hurdle-race. The flea in first place is crawling under a hurdle and grabbing a flag.

Flea Race

An illustration of four fleas competing in a hurdle-race. The flea in first place is crawling under…

An illustration of a flea dressed in a uniform walking across a tight rope while holding a stick.

Flea Tight-Rope

An illustration of a flea dressed in a uniform walking across a tight rope while holding a stick.

"He that lies down with dogs, his limbs to ease, / Sleep as he will, he'll surely rise with fleas; / So he that would keep both clean and well, / Must not with filthy creatures closely dwell."—Barber, 1857

He that Lies Down With the Dogs, Will Rise Up With the Fleas

"He that lies down with dogs, his limbs to ease, / Sleep as he will, he'll surely rise with fleas; /…