Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-28
DEATH OF A WONDERFUL DOG.
Intelligent to n Remarkable Degree
and Was n Mind-Reader.
From lIlicapn Times .Harald

Intelligent to n Remarkable Degree
and Was Mind-Reader.
From the Chicago Times Herald.
There may have been greater dogs in the
opinion of the experts who run kennel
shows than Bozzie, the remarkable collie
that died from poisoning in Chicago on
Thursday, but no one who ever witnessed
her wonderful performances will acknowl-
edge it. Other valuable dogs are chiefly
noteworthy on account of their pedigrees
and points under the eye and tape of
the judge in the ring perhaps for their
superior gifts in the field or chase. They
win fame for excelling in doglike qualities
according to breed and class.
But i'll Bozzie was developed something
that made her more than dog, something
so near the human and gift in some way
transcending the intelligence of man that
we are not likely ever to see her like again.
1t is only few days since that Bozzie gave
an exhibition of her powers before members
of the University Club. She added, sub
tracted, multiplied and divided as accur-
ately and rapidly as well-trained school
boy. BozZie had no words to give her an
s" ers, but gave them in quick, short banks.
When the numbers ran over eleven or
twelve she would divide her banks. as two
barkS, then a pause and four more banks
for twenty-four.
On the occasion just referred to she was
asked the number of those present. After
taking note Of them well-trained collie
might of flock of sheep she barked off
the number correctly. Then she was asked.
How many wear glasses!" Taking
rapid survey Of the room she barked three
times. She was wrong and was told to
try again. This time she poked around
among those present and found a fourth
wea1er of glasses who had been completely
hidden from her casual glance, and then
she gave her four sharp banks with an en-
phasis that challenged dispute.
On of her welcome visits the
Times-Herald building Bozzie asked
how many persons We're in the business Of
flee. After inspecting the whole depart
ment she barked twenty-six in her peculiar
method Of two and six. She then
asked, How many are women?" and
promptly answered four. This was thought
to be a mistake, for only three were visible.
So Bozzie was asked to try again. But she
stuck to her four barks, and running be-
hind one Of the desks indicated where the
fourth girl was hidden by the top Of the
desk as she bent over her work.
Similar instances of BoZze'S remarkable
arithmetic gifts could be multiplied indefi-
pitely. 1t remains however, to speak of
the inexplcable feats she performed. which
discount those Of legerdemain and enter
the domain of the marvellous if not incredi-
Bile. An observer would be asked to place
his hand on Bozzie's head and think Of a
number. In response to her master she
would bark out the number. Her owner,
George B. Clason, to whom we tepder the
sympathy of all who knew Bozzte and love
dogs, would retire from the room and the
dog would give the correct answer all the
same. She could be blindfolded and in 81
fence the company would fix its thoughts
on number indicated by one holding up
fingers. Bozzie would instantly respond
with the corresponding number of barks.
On one occasion when BoZZie visited the
office of the Times-Herald she was asked
to tell the age of Peter, the colored senti-
mel of the editorial rooms. Peter was asked
to place his hand Bozlies head and
think of the two figures representing his
age. Without hesitation word spoken
Bozzie parked four times. Then after
PAUSE she barked eight times. hesitated and
gave half-hearted yelp for nine.
During this performance Peters face was
study of mingled amaZement incredulty
and awe. When Bozzie had stumbled over
the ninth bark Mr.. Clason asked Peter how
that he first fixed his mind ON forty-eight,
but while Bozzie was barking he bethought
himself that he was nearer forty-nine than
forty-eight years old, and so began Ques-
tioning mentally whether he should not
have given himself the benefit of one more
years experience of this vale of tears.
BY what process of mental biography did
this dog read the thoughts of Peter or any
one, concentrating them on numerals? This
is a question that battles the wisdom Of the
wisest, and yet this dog the victim of as
committed performed 1t without hesitation
and without mistake. Bozzie was as beau
tiful and gentle as she was gifted beyond
her kind. The disposition and human in
telligence of such an animal almost makes
us question whether, like Byron's New
foundland "Boatswain" she will be
Denied in heaven the soul she held earth.