The sun., 1895-04-28
STORIES OF A BRIGHT DOG.
HE DOES NO TRICKS, nut HAS A
LOT OF COMMON SENSE.
Saving = Canary from n Cat-The Friend
chip OF the St. Bernard and the Chance
leon-Au Aii-piEht Watch Over His
1rnster's Dropped Pocketbook.

Prom the chicago Record
DULUTH. Minn., April 24.-Thore has neve
been dog In this section OF the country tina
for intelligence and almost human intuition
could be compared with the big st. Bernard
Pedro. owned by ID. J. Thompson of this
city. IL all the stories that have been told
concerning this animals sagacity are true. he
could very easily secure q diploma nt q high
school. but even when the false Is slfted from
the true Pedro, who is nearly three feet
high and weighs l50 pounds, has performed
wonderful mental feats, which class him as
one Of the most remarkable dogs Of recent times.
The dogs tastes are peculiar as his mental
development Ia wonderful Ho has never been
like other dogs. Almost from the time he was
q pup-ho is now 4 years old-Mr. Thompson
says he has been Of melancholy temperament
given to long aud lonely musings and solitary
rambles. For tho companionshp OF his fellows
he never had any prediction. and has only suf-
fered the presence Of other dogs with intelligent
resignation.
Pedro was tho only one of nno litter Of
puppies saved" raid Mr.. Thompson. His
mother died two days after he was born and no
was placed under the care OF n collie, which
from tho first showed such n dislike for him
that we had to raise him by hand. In his In
fancy he therefore never came in contact with
other dogs, and this may account for his strange
s hous. OF ni he ae
year old. He was then big puppy and did not
know his own strength. He got out Of the yard
our following a farmers wagon snapped at him
and bit Off piece of his car. Pedro stood as
ho s doE h. had ever # soae
with md he had never received anything
nns hs hss been pensye and hs
due probably to his bringing up, But since the
time that mongrel ran at and BIT him ho has IA,
and stronger he once or twice attacked passing
dogs. but we cured him OF that. Few dogs
makes any advances to bring about such an at
tack. He is allowed to go about the streets ~
When visitor comes to the house and brings a
dog, Pedro simply treats The stranger as though
made Of statuary. If the strange dog makes
teeth @ M and low growl, and after that he is usu-
Pedro early showed his peculiar temperament
Dignihed even as puppy. he allowed the house
cat and her kittens TO- play with him. but his
81 the EIndost. and house pets were never mo. o.
Tested. Toward his master he showed an early
sttnschment: sa but 1t was never manifested Al! tee by
and blind obedience Of orders when they werc
affection. which streng thened as he grew older.
The dogs intelligence was first manifested
st. Bernards are usually big. homely masses Of
bones. and l. have room for @ hut little ~ other than
m1schlef IN their heads. The Thompsons al
ting room in which Pedro would lie for ts hours s
on mat. One day the door OF the cage was
the In the Of his Stternss rM the
bird several times few within few inches of
Not % en Matess cat that hind JUS
crept into the room. At the first sight of tn Q
bird all tho cats savage instinct was aroused.
The canary also appeared to have an inborn fear
Of the intruder which it had not felt toward the
dog It flew frantiGaliy about the room and be-
ments with careful eyes and as the canary grew
more frantic In Its struggles to escape it made
several springs which almost secured the COW
Pedro at first paid little attention to tho
movements of cat and bird. but as several times
the latter dashed In agonizng frenzy near him
he rose and looked on with more interest The
bird at last flew directly against the mantel-
not quicker than Pedro, who sprang between
the bird and cat just in time to the formers
life. At the same time he gave a loud yep
which was heard all over the house, and the
family rushed into the room just in time to see
the cat retreat to escape a vicious snap from
Pedros jaws. The canary was but little injured
and as it was restored to its cage Pedro looked
on. wagging his tail and expressing every sign of
appreciation OF his act. Yet in u few DAYS he
and the cat were again on the best of terms.
habits as he grew older, but none more striking
than was shown In an attachment conceived
Thompsons sent them a cham eeon from Florida
II was beautiful little animal, about seven
inches @ long, exclusive OF II; tail, which was as
at once began to thrive IN this northern climate,
tho weather being Of a genial warmth almost
equal to that OF It's native cline.
The chameleon would sit for hours on the
window sill, apparently dead as the sill 1t was
like flashes of its long tongue to absorb some in
sect that had approached too close for its own
Pedro appeared to take a great deal of interest
In the stranger. He would stand by the window
where the chameleon lay and watch it for
n n m ar tINrir hn ', - GOLD
nose against its body. only to jump back rs tho
chameleon would make hasty furry to escape.
the summer grew on. the chameleon appeared
70 understand that what II had taken for .vora.,
its friendliness in It's own way. "
During the hot summer days II was no unusual
sba ssht to see psdro hhE the window with
And during these little Journeys over the bodyof
would be kept busy. lily after fy would disap-
pear down its voracious throat. and the dog
apparent understandable Of the trouble Of which
his little friend would rid him.
srS and eay II IN grew
days after Pedro would walk TO the familiar
window sill and poke his nose over its surface.
members of the family He kept this search up
the greater Part Of the winter and 1t early
that the chameleO was gone.
~; Saturday night about three weeks, ago Mr..
thompson nuue arrangements 10 take the i
o'clock train for st. Paul. Pedro was in the
house early In the evening before Mr.. Thompson
left. The dog was frequently allowed to accom-
pany his master to the city. and evidently
thought he would be allowed TO 90 on this occa-
Biun.
= When Mr.. Thompson started out, Pedro fol-
lowed him into the hall, and when the door was
opened, darted out Mr.: Thompson started down
sh. walk, and at first did not notice that Pedro
was following him. He was several blocks from
his home when the pattcr of the dogs feet at
tracted his attention.
!" You'll have TO 90 home pcdro said Mr.
Thompson turning around. I'm going too far
70 take you with me tonight. Go back home,
there's good dog"
Ordinarily an order Of this kind would be-
prise, the dog did not move.
Pedro, 20 home at once!" cried Mr..
Thompson In a harsher tone.
After q moments pause the dog turned around
and skunk away in the direction of home. Mr..
Thompson contlnued ON his way 70 the railroad
when he heard bark behind him. Looking
ground he saw Pedro but short distance eaway.
In reply TO his commands to go home the dog
would only bark; Mr.. Thompson proceeded on
again. and. turning SECOND time, Mr.. Thomp-
son saw that he was still standing in the same
place,