The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-28
RovsA.s CHICKEN FRIENDS.
Story of a Dogs Tender Love and Pro-
lection of Two Orphans.
FROM tho Cl,ino r. r~sl

Story of Dogs Tender Love and Pro-
lection of Two Orphans.
From the Chicago Tribune.
1t Is not often that Newfoundland
dog of high breeding SO far forgets his
sense of superiority over the members
OF the smaller animal and bird king
dom as to make companion of an old
men. such compromising, however, was
the choice of Rover, the pet of the
household of Ludwig Kieth, and more
loyal and touching friendship never
existed than has been that of Rover
for certain venerable "Biddy'' in his
masters chicken yard
Ludwig Keith lives at 6908 Madison
avenue. He Is a lover of fancy fowls
and usually keeps few of the feather
ed tribe about his place. Since Rover
was a young dog he has evinced
fondness for poultry, but the height of
his devotion was never fully demon
strated until a few days ago, when his
favorite hen succumbed to old age.
linen Rover, according to the sta.e-
ments of the family, tried to bury his
dead companion in decent style, as he
had seen other pet chickens laid to their
rest. The dog, 1t is declared, would
have completed his self Imposed task
had not a neighbours boy, noticing the
dog efforts, come to his relief and
helped the faithful old animal out.
In connection with this friendship
ago last spring Mr.. Keith was present.
ed with a pair of fluffy orphan chicks
or rare strain, just few days out of
the shell. Rover was then barely a full
grown dog and had as yet evinced no
particular fondness for fowls. The
spring weather was raw and the wee,
downy creatures shivered in the cold
wind. when they were left out of doors.
so they were brought into the house
and placed in box in the kitchen.
whence they could view their surround
ings through Stats Rover regarded the
chickens intently and to see what he
would do one of the members of the
family set the tiny punches of down
upon the floor. Rover watched their
every movement, and when one of them
finally wandered in his direction and
settled down between his great paws
with a contented and trustful Peep
peep" he curved his neck the better to
see the small intruder, but otherwise
lay perfectly still. allowing the confid-
ing little thing to cuddle there without
molesting 1t.
From that hour forth Rover and the
orphan chicks became fast friends. The
days grew warmer and both dog and
chicks were turned out of doors to en-
joy the sunlight. But when the shad-
ows fell at night Pip and Biddie, as the
chicks had been christened, owing to
the manner of rearing, were brought
into the house, always under the super
vision of Rover, who trotted along be-
side his master and saw the chickens
safely placed within their box. When
the wind was a trifle keen the chicks
would make straight for Rover, and
cuddle down for warmth between his
paws and underneath his breast. 1t
was not an unusual sight for the chicks
to be seen taking saucy pecks at
bone the dog was gnawing, though Ro-
yer had never been known before to
tolerate the near presence of hen
While he was eating.
But one day Pip died. No one took
the trouble to notify Rover of the flu
neral. In fact. there were no ceremo-
MES, and poor Pip's body was cast over
fence into an adjoining vacant lot.
Toward evening it began to rain, and
by nightfall the water was standing in
pools all over the city. The family was
about to retire Biddie was in her box
alone and Rover was supposedly in his
kennel. There was a frantic scratch
ing al the back door and Mr.. Keith
hurried to open it. There stood Rover,
wet to the skin, but waving his tail ex-
citedly Turning, he trotted down the
steps and returned Immediately with
the body of poor, dead Pip in his
mouth. He laid the pitiful, wet object
upon the floor and. with a whine, poked
his wet nose into his masters hand,
imploring him as plainly as though he
had spoken in words to do something
for his little companion.
Mr.. Keith had not the heart to throw
the treasured little body out into the
rain again, so the bedraggled object
was placed in a small box and set upon
the floor for Rover to guard. All night
long the faithful animal lay beside 1t,
and in the morning he still kept his
vigil alternately licking the poor. life
less body and whining in dumb appeal
to those who sought to comfort him.
Ilf,, fy.gt Of hnir ret
fence again, was given decent burial
in the rear yard under grapevine.
Thereafter Rover grew more and more
fond of Biddie, and he began to take an
| interest in the other fowls as WELL
Biddie lived and throve, while others
! of her kind sickened or met with acct
dents and died. She grew to a ripe old
age and was always singled out by
| Rover for special privileges.
| A few days ago she died peaceful
| death from old age. She had been
growing weak and Rover had spent
much of his time with her for a few
days prior to the end. His dogs heart
seemed almost broken when poor Bid
| die breathed her last, and on Rover S
account IL was agreed to postpone the
! burial until the day following the sad
occurrence. A boy playmate of Rover. s
! placed the hens body in a box and 1t
! lay in state in the woodshed, where
| Rover could have easy access, await
! ing the time of burial. But the old dog
| seemed to feel that slight had been
put upon his companion by the delay
in burying her. so he quietly set about
to perform the last rites himself He
was discovered by the boy playmate a
| few hours after Biddes death in the
1 spot devoted to the feathered dead,
| digging for dear life. Already Wien
discovered he had dug quite deep
hollow, and nearby lay the body of
! Biddie, whittier it had been carried by
the faithful Rover. 1t was half hidden
! by the fine dirt the dog had scraped out
! of the hollow. But after he had accom-
/ plished this much and saw he was be-
| ing watched, Rover dessted in his
| grave-digging operations and allowed
| his boy friend to finish the task.
] OF ate wears ii has been Mr.. Keith 6