Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-10
A VERY BRIGHT DOG
HE DOES no TRICKS, But HAS
COMMON SENSE.
saving n Canary from n Cat-The
Friendship of the ~. Bernard ana
the ChameIcon-An An-Nisht
Watch.


Duluth letter I'm Chicago Record)
There has never been dog in this
section OF the country that for inteih-
gence and almost human intuition couid
be compared with the big 81. Bernard
Pedro, owned by ID. J. Thompson OF this
city. IL all the stories that have beeh
told concerning this animals sagacity are
true he could very easily secure
diploma at a high school. but even wheh
the false Is sifted from the true, fehro'
who Is nearly three feet high ana weishs
l5s pounds, has performed wohueriu'
mental feats. which class him as one OF
the most remarkable dogs of recent times
The dogs tastes are as peculiar d. Ms
mental development is wonderful lie mas
never been like other dogs. Almost ii0'i'
the time he was a pup he IL no" o se"'
old-Mr. Thompson says he has peeh Vi
n melancholy temperament. given to Iohs
and lonely musings and solitary rampies'
For the companionship Of his ieiiows Nv
never had any prediction. ana mas ohiy
suffered the presence OF other dogs WIN
intelligent resignation.
"pedro WAS the only one OF fine litter
OF puppies saved" said Mr.. thompson
"Uls mother died two days after ne was
born. and ne was placed under the carr
Of q collie. which from the FIRST SHOVE
such q dislike for him that we had 10
raise him BY hand. In his intahc! ne
therefore never came IN CONTACT WY"
other dogs and this may account TOT ms ms
strange dislike towards others OF ms
ha ri let NfIt OF Inc nOuSt
until after he was n year old. lie was
then a big puppy. and did not know ms
own strength. He got out oil the yaiu
one day and ran into the street. a shds-
Nv cur following a farmers wagon SNIP
ped at him and bit off piece OF MS va.
Pedro stood as If struck with amaze ~
was practically the first dog ne had ever
come In contact with, ana ne hau never
received anything hut the kinuest ueat
ment Even with his house training ne
has always been pensive and pecullar.
due nrobably to his bringing up. But
since the time that mongrel ran al ana
nh him he has never had any use ior
docs As he grew older and stronger ne
once or twice attacked passing dogs' pu.
we cured him of that. Few does "ouIu
care TO attack him now, and he never
makes any advances to bring about such
an attack He is allowed to so aooui ,he
streets as he pleases, but MS JOURNEYS
are always solitary. when NiSi'oi
comes TO the house and brings doS
pedro simply treats the stranger as
though made of statuary. II the strange
dog makes any advances there Is warn
ing showing Of teeth and low growl
and after that he il usually left alone.
PEDRO early showed his peculiar tenn
perament Dignifed even as a puppy
he allowed the house cat and her Kit
tens TO play with him. but his part was
always passive. His disposition was OF
the kindest, and house pets were never
molested. Toward his master he showed
an early attachment, but ii was never
by barks and romps and
wagglngs of the tail mute uplifting Of
the ewes. deep, and expressive, and
blind obedience of orders when they were
learned served to illustrate the depth of
his affection, which strengthened as he
grew older
WITH THE CANARY.
The dogs intelligence was first mani
Tested when he was about II months
old-an age when st. Bernards are usual
ly, big homey masses of bones. and
have room for but little other than mis-
chief in their heads. The Thompsons al
ways kept a canary bird In a cage in
their sitting-roOm. in which Pedro would
lie LOT UOulS vi II mat. tlle NdN tUt
door of the cage was left open. and the
canary escaping few about the room.
In the course OF his flutterings the bird
several times few within few inches
Of the dog. but Pedro only winked lazily.
Not so a handsome Maltese cat that
had just crept into the room. At the
first sight of the bird all the cats savage
instinct was aroused. The canary also
TO have an Unborn fear of the
intruder. which II had not felt toward
the dog. Ii few frantically about the
room and became bewildered. The cat
its movements with careful eyes.
and as the canary grew more frantic in
its struggles to escape. Ii made several
springs which almost secured the coveted
prey.
Pedro at first paid little attention to
the movements of cat and bird, but as
several times the latter dashed In agon-
Zing frenzy near him he rose and looked
on with more interest TIE bird at
last flew directly against the mante-
piece and, partially stunned by the
shock. fell to the floor. 'fhe eat was on
II with jump. but not quicker than