The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-13
A WONDERFUL DOG.
Tale of Collie Whose Performance
Seemed Incredible.

seemed incredible.
(From the Chicago Times-Herald)
There may have been greater dogs in
the opinion Of the experts who run ken
mel shows than Bozzie the remarkable
collie that died from poisoning in Chicago
her wonderful performances will acknowl-
edge 1t. Other valuable dogs are chiefly
noteworthy on account OF their pedlgrees
and FONTS" under the eye and tape of
the Judge in the ring or perhaps for their
superior gifts in the field or chase They
win fame for excelling in doglike quali-
ties according to breed and class
But in Bozzie was developed something
that made her more than dog. something
SO near the human and a gift In some
way transcending the intelligence of man
that We are not likely ever to see her like
again. 1t is only a few days since that
bozzie gave an exhibition of her powers
before members OF the University Club.
She added, subtracted multiplied, and
divided as accurately and rapidly as
weii-s.ained school boy. Bozzie had no
words to give her answers but gave them
In quick. short barks. When the num-
bers ran over eleven or twelve she would
divide her barks, as two banks, then a
pause. and four more barks for twenty.
four.
On the occasion Just referred to she was
asked the number Of those present. After
taking note Of them as a weil-traned
collie might Of a flock Of sheep she bark
ed off the number correctly. Then she
was asked, How many wear glasses?"
Taking a rapid survey of the room she
barked three times. She was wrong, and
was told to try again. This time she polk
ed around among those present and found
fourth wearer Of glasses who had been
completely hidden from her casual glancc,
and then she gave her four sharp barks
with an emphasis that challenged dis
pute.
On one OF her welcome visits to tbs
"Times- Herald Building Bozzie was ask.
ed how many persons were in the bust.
ness office. After inspecting the whole
department she barked twenty six in her
peculiar method Of two and six. She was
then asked, "How many are women" and
promptly answered four. This was thought
to be mistake for only three were visi-
BILE. So Bozzie was asked to try again.
But she stuck to her four barks. and run
ming behind 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 Bozzie's remarkable
arithmetical gifts could be multiplied in
definitely. 1t remains. however. to speak
of the inexplicable feats she performed
which discount those of legerdemain and
enter the domain of the marvellous IL rot
incredible. 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 own
er. George B. Clason. to whom We tender
the sympathy of all who knew BoZzie 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
silence the company would fix its thoughts
on a 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 ask
ed to place his hand on Bozzie's head and
think of the two figures representing his
age. Without hesitation or word spoken
Bozzie barked four times Then after a
pause she barked eight times. hesitated
and gave half-hearted yelp for nine.
During this performance Peters face
was study of mingled amazement, incre-
dulity and awe. When Bozzie had stum-
bled over the ninth bark Mr.. Ciason ask
ed Peter how he had thought of his age.
Peter replied that he first fixed his mind
on forty-eight. but while Bozzie was bark
ing he bethought himself that he was
nearer forty-nine than forty-eisht years
old, and so began questioning mentally
he should not have given himself
the benefit of one more years experiences
Of this vale of tears.
By what process of mental telegraphy
did this dog read the thoughts of Peter or
anyone concentrating them on numerals?
This is question that battles the wisdom
Of the wisest. and yet this dog, the vic
tim of as criminal piece OF brutality
as was ever committed. performed it with
put hesitation and without mistake. Boz
zie was as beautiful and gentle as she was
gifted beyond her kind. The disposition
and human intelligence of such an animal
almost makes us question whether. like
Byron's Newfoundland 'Boatswain," she
will be
Denied in heaven the soul she held on earth.