Morning journal and courier., 1886-03-05
RaaannIn0 in nnaa

1 A good example of dogs reasoning from false premises is the following: l A highland shepherd possessed collie which he had reared from puppydom. He was ex- ! ceedingly kind to the animal, and it is need l less to say that the dog loved him, and was his constant companion day and night. In the Highland hills and glens-up Loch Carron way, where the event I am about to relate took place storms are frequent in winter It is the shepherds duty then to look we'll after his flock, lest any get buried, and if necessary, to drive them down to the lower land.
 It was with the latter intention that D. took the hills one day with his dog. It was calm in the morning, but wild snowstorm was raging in the mountain before sunset. It will never be known whether or not the shep- herd lost himself, the probability is that he sat down to rest in the lee of rock, and fell into deep sleep, from which he awoke no more.
 Next day the dog appeared at the mans cot; he was very excited, and did what he never did before-snatched bannock from the table, and rushed out with it. The op- portunity to follow the dog was not neglect ed, for collies will often bring assistance to a wounded master who has fallen over a rock or cliff.
 They tracked the poor collie through the snow, up the glen, and over the hills, till at last they found him sitting woefully by the body of his dead master. But the bannocka It was found laid up against the shepherds cheek, e,dog evidently having imagined it was from hunger his master suffered. Many time and oft had that Highland shepherd shared his frugal meal with his collie; in au- tumn, when the bloom was on the hills, in winter, and in spring, when sleet, or rain or snow was borne along on the wings of the ao11 ,r1o,o have thought, 'I must try to do something for my poor master who lies so chill and still"
 A student of animal life and manners has no occasion to go far from home, or seek for subjects. say the meanest cur that runs the street, the blindman's half-bred poodle or the tramp's lean and hungry mongrel, is in itself study.
 Here is an example of the reasoning power, true and simple, in dogs:
 My Newfoundland knows well that I am an enthusiastic cyclist, and he himself would ride if he could. Sometimes, then, when he sees me near the coach-house, he will rush in, and, leaping up, run after my tricycle. at the back, then scamper round and round it, cutting all kinds of delighted capers. He naturally thinks that it is impossible for me to resist a temptation so great, and he is seldom wrong.
 A wise and affectionate dog, such as Newfoundland, collie, or retriever, if we'll brought up and kindly treated, evinces his gratitude by showing affection for the whole those in suffering, danger distress.
 At ferry in the River Barn, there was a very affectionate and wise dog called Dash, some years ago. The interest she took in the boat, and the general management of the ferry, was often even amusing She must stand to see the boat properly fastened up, before trotting home, and positively refused fFs1 1oaHr tha oh a6- justed.
 Dashs mistress was invalid, and very f1ail. The dog would almost help her into the boat; and whenever, through weakness, the woman would sway to one side, Dash would jump up and steady her lest she should fall.
 But when her mistress was taken away by death, Dash lay in corner overwhelmed with grief, taking no notice of or interest in anything. Even the boat itself lost all charm when the loved one was lost
 Time heals grief, though, and Dash show for her master, and all her old interest in the working of the ferry came back.
 She never failed to inform her master when anyone wished to be fetched. She would give one or two short barks across the stream to the individual desirous of crossing This was saying, plainly enough:
 ''AI right. I see you, and I'll fetch master"
 She would then rush to the house, bark there, and then rush back again, to inform the party that the boat would soon arrive.
 Dash had foe in the person of huge, ill- natured cock, who spurred her and bullied her whenever he dared. Dash had only one way of defending herself; she used to pick mp big stone before she passed the cock and let him see she had it.
 When she did this, strange enough the cock never interfered with her. I do not pretend to give reason for this, II merely state the fact
 Dogs are often very jealous in their affec- tion, and it is unkind to a faithful canine to take too much notice of strange dogs in his presence.