The San Francisco call., 1906-11-25
By Ida l.. Brooks

by IDA l.. DrooKs
20 many dogs are gifted with re-
rnarksble understanding that it is
rather the fact of their being un-
derstood and appreciated that is
chiefly responsible for the celebrity that
has befallen the brightest OF them.
How largely the intellectual develop
nent OF a dog. if such II may be called,
fs dependent on the character, in fact
the entire personality, Of his master
His primal instinct is affection for that
master and devotion; IL In return he is
not given a liberal education, he is
forced 10 forego the joys OF service, and
the master is a loser as well. for, coin
cidently. he has rejected willing serv-
ant and a friend
On the other hand. the dog that finds
In his master his souls affinity, peren-
nially gives evidence Of having arrived
at a state OF bliss such as few mortals
know, and is able to call forth such af-
fection in his master as none thereafter
can command.
Such facts as these concerning mat
ters canine were brought TO my atten-
tim strongly upon my recent and quite
accidental meeting with several dogs Of
unusual intelligence. And yet every
dog I have known has, in the prime OF
his life, seemed TO be overstocked with
intelligence and energy which in the
majority Of cases had had no opportun-
ity open to saYe it from going to waste.
So. instead of according to these little
fellows praise alone for excessive
knowledge, il would be fairer TO con-
eratulate them on their good fortune
In the matter of masters.
Coco the Clever
Coco won my heart completely at the
FIRST sight OF his fine little face and
beautiful coat I did not doubt for an
instant the things that were claimed
for him.
I met him simultaneously with his
master. George +. Neece, an Oaklander
and an Elk. looked from one OF them
TO the other and wondered which heart
would ache more il the other should
cease to beat was unable to come to
q decision on that point.
Coco is q curly cockerel. black and
silver gray not much larger than a
cocker spaniel and more nearly re-
senbling that breed than any other,
being a cross, in fact, between the
cocker and the water spaniel. He is
five years OF age and has always been
owned by Mr.. Neece. who tells me that
in raising him he had 10 resort TO the
bottle.
Coco is a linguist to the extent OF
understanding English. although from
fear Of abusing the accent, perhaps. he
does not attempt TO speak his masters
tongue To show me how perfectly
Coco understands, Mr. Neece made sew
eral requests of him in ordinarily low
tones. which requests were complied
with Immediately.
Drop, Coco Coco dropped instantly
st his masters feet. and all the allure
nlent Of a plate of mutton chops not
two feet away was insufficient to move
him until permission was given.
Mr.. Neece put his hat on his wife's
head without the dogs noticing Il, as I
supposed, and then TOLD the dog to
bring it to him. Coco sprang up into
the chair beside her and, lifting the hat
carefully on. took it to his master. tall
wagging.
Bring the lady here was the next
command, and Coco took Mrs. Neece's
dress between his teeth, and with
winsomcly coaxing glance at her, sue
ceeded IN getting her to go with him
all the way across the room. This is
little trick that he employs on various
occasions.
Three objects were placed together
on the floor and Coco picked up each
bv name The little fellow also showed
me that he is quite capable OF nlanipu-
lating a carpet sweeper without strik-
ing any OF the furniture He takes the
handle between his teeth with his up
per lip turned up. giving him an inimi-
table expression Of roguishness and
pride. He let me take HIS picture so.
standing in position much longer than
r was needed for the process.
Coco has entire confidence in his mas
~ e-tA ~ ais A-AdcAti lIlGuQb 6S Hell.
Proof OF this confidence is shown in the
following incident: Coco was placed in
barn window and. regardless of his
weight, which is not inconsiderable.
and the natural canine disinclination
20 jump from a high place. at word
from Mr. As~ce he bounded out Of the
window and safely into the arms that
were stretched out to him. afr. Neece
toIu me thar ne would have done like
wise had his wife been standing there
instead OF himself
Coco pieusly observes the call to
prayer. assuming the proper position
paws folded on a chairs back and head
lying thereon-and not changing It un-
I'll the last words OF the prayer are
spoken, and roast beef and lamb