Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-11-06
Dog Stories.

As EVIDENCE that dogs have reasoning
powers Iren@us" tells the following
Northumberland anecdotes in a recent
number of the New York Observer.
Rev. DIR. =. T. Fullerton, of Erie,
Pa, writes: MRS. J. has for some time
past been the owner of fine Esquimaux
dog. few months ago Mrs. j. became
the mother of beautiful little girl, of
whom the dog at first was very jealous.
His better nature, however, soon as
serted itself, and he became very fond
of the child A few weeks ago baby
was crying loud and long. Doggie came
up stairs in evident distress of spirit,
whined in answer TO the child's cry, but
finally, as If sudden thought had
startled him, trotted quickly down stairs.
He presently returned with bone, well
picked, of course, in his mouth, which,
standing on his hind legs he gravely
presented to the baby.
"Inevidence of the truth of this story
l may offer the testimony of Mrs. j., her
aunt, Mrs. G., not to mention the baby
and the dog himself"
Certainly there were several steps like
those of logic in this performance, and
simple as is the story it is one of the
best we have had. II shows how much
the dog reasoned, and how very feeble
his reasoning was.
ID. Walter Smith, of Englewood, N. j.,
writes to me of one of his dogs. He
says:
He was a splendid water dog and
very powerful. Being in the store alone
with him one evening, and he under the
counter, an Irishman came in for some
thing which was in the back part of the
store. While / had gone for it he threw
himself on the counter and opened the
money drawer. The dog, hearing him,
came quietly between the counters and
caught the man by the arm. ! found
the dog holding the man, and the drawer
closing held his hand. The dog imme-
diately released him, and ] told the man
to take a seat, which he refused to do,
but started for the door. The dog was
before him and guarded the door
When my employer came in went out
for an officer, and with him went to the
Office of the Justice, where l gave my
testimony and the man was sent to jail,
while | went back to the store. Now the
intelligence of the dog showed itself. He
had, unknown to me, followed us to the
office and laid down under the Justices
table, and instead of following me home
he accompanied the man to the jail, kept
his ayes nn the man until the taller had
turned the key on him, when he turned
and trotted home"
W. NJ Stryker, Eldorado, Kan,
writes to me this very admirable illustra-
ton:
"At the village of Chelsea, Butler
County, Kan. during this summer QS74)
the Oranges held meeting on Saturday
evening, at which Jack, dog, was an
attendant. Though he had never been
initiated the Changers permitted him to
be present and listen to the discussions.
Jack was not much interested in the
topics discussed by the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, nor stirred by the eloquence of
the speakers, and went to sleep, as some
of the Patrons themselves might have
done. Jack slept so soundly that the
meeting closed, the members retired, and
poor Jack was locked in the school
house. Now that same house is used for
hool-house, town hall, Sabbath-school
room and various other purposes. But
there was no religious service the next
day, and poor Jack spent lonely Sab
bath fasting. Monday morning arrived
of vigorous efforts put forth for ifs owl
release, but all unavailing. AT length
he hit on an eXpedient that proved sue
cessful. just over the door hangs the
bell rope, with a loop in the end, by
which it is hitched on nail. Jack
sprang and caught the bell rope, full six
and a half feet from the floor, and rang
the bell The villagers were startled
What can that mean? There is no school
it is vacation. Presently dong went the
bell again, and so he continued to ring
until some one took the key and went tC
see what was the matter. SO poor Jacf
was released and trotted off home, dis
tance of about two miles"