The Washington herald., 1908-07-20
SAD TALE OF A DOG
MuZZle. Law Is Cause of a
Tragedy at River Front.
Foxy CAN'T SAVE HER PUPPY
Little Pariah of the River Front,
MuEzled by Ignorant Friends,
Struggles VainIy with Closed
Mouth to Rescue Drowning Baby
from a Watery Grave.

"'Tis an Ill wind that blows nobody
good. Is an adage which. though ancient
may be applied 10 modern things. such
as the recent edict that all dogs shall be
muzzled. While the muzzle law in Wash
ington has prevented many casualties.
horrors. and tragedies among the resi-
dents OF the National Capital. according
TO a few unknown and unheard OF IA
nous" scientists, 1t has been the cause
OF much suffering among the doggies- But
lit is considered proper that dOggies should
suffer, in order that human lives may not
be endangered. and so Foxy Is q mar
tyr.
Foxy Is a little dog which claims the
fish wharves in Water street as her home,
her native land. by right OF birth Foxy
IS called Foxy because OF the red coat
OF hair that covers her hide. and other
marks she inherited from some collie
ancestor. which give her q slight resem-
blance 10 Reynard-
Foxy IS known by nearly every one
who works around the wharyes. and be
cause she wags her tail when her head
is patted, instead Of growing. as Is Gus
tomary among fsh-wharf CANNES, IS well
liked
A few weeks ago Foxy became the
proud mother OF three little Foxes"
.stevedores. wagon drivers. stablenen, and
other habitues Of the wharves visited the
home Of the Htter-an old barrel lying
on its side among other barrels in a
lumber yard-and two OF the men an
nounced themselves owners Of two pup
pies. The third was not wanted. He did
not possess the earmarks Of a desirable
wharf dog
Foxy" paid little attention 10 her
visitors. for they did not molest the
puppies. except 20 hold them in the air
by ears and tan TO see II they had grit"
All wharf dogs are given this treatment.
and Foxy. well versed in wharf etiquette.
did not object
As soon as the puppies were old enough
20 be taken from the mother. two were
removed from the barrel by the men who
had claimed them by right Of discov-
cry. and the third was left 70 Foxy. who
was satisfied Happy and contented.
Foxy foraged for the pup. bringing home
bones and any scraps she could find
around the wharf
Foxy Il MuzzIed.
one day. while a friendly hand was
pstting her head a wire thing was slipped
over her mouth and secured IN such a
way she could not free herself The
muzzIe had been bought with money
given in sums Of or % cents BY Foxy's
friends. who DID not wish to see her
taken 20 the pound.
Foxy did not sleep TIE night after the
mUzzle had been put on her head She
was worried. and walked about the de-
serted lumber Piles and wharves. whin-
ing and trying 10 md some person who
would remove the wire thing that pre-
vented her eating or carrying scraps 10
the puppy in the barrel Never since
she could remember had any one fed
her. She had been left 10 her own re-
sources, and had proved herself able 10
care for No J."
The men who put the muzzle on Foxy
did not stop 70 think she would be unable
10 eat or carry food 20 her puppy
Two davs after Foxy had been muz-
Zled. 8 man came 20 the barrel and saw
the puppy The helpless little animal
had had nothing 10 sat for two days. and
showed il by the ribs. that almost pro-
" At4e4- --4EDHL-A LL-E 6h4L- ne man 4gGh-
ed ST the puppy Tor z minute or two, and
said. in a low tone. as though he were
thinking aloud Dis pup amt nOthin'.
He amt no good Jus swell drown
him, fUst as last
While Foxy watched the man with Won
derinE eyes he took the PUPPY TO the
edge of the dock. and. holding him by the
tail. threw him far out into the river.
Foxy. now alert. saw the puppy strike
the water. heard the splash. and was on
Overheard she went. muzzle and all. de-
termined 70 bring her offspring back TO
safety
Sees Only Baby Drown.
Wei. I'm derned.~ said the man. as
he stood watching the brave little mother
rapidly swimming toward the spot where
the puppy sank The puppy. although
young. was able 70 keep himself afioat
in the stiu water, and when he reached
the surface started valiantly for shore.
Foxy reached the puppy in less than
minute Following her custom Of grab
bing the puppy by the neck when she
wanted to carry him. Foxy tried to catch
hold OF the almost exhausted little swim
mer- She could not. The muzzle kept
her jaws together. and try as she might.
she could not break the strong wire In
her desperate attempts 70 get a hold on
the puppy's neck, she repeatedly pushed
the little fellow beneath the surface. and.
in short time the puppy sank. Foxy
swan about waiting for the puppy TO re-
appear. but nothing moved except the
Overwhelming circles around the spot
where the baby dog had gone down
Almost exhausted. Foxy started back
for shore After seemingly endless trip.
she reached the Ooze under the docks,
and walked sp & board through a hole to
the wharf. The man who had thrown
hi MATTINGS LhID FREE. Ill