The Republican journal., 1912-05-02
COLO.
A corsican Dog.
THE Animals Friend. 1ona,. !,

~>e.'---s-S London
Golo's first day on earth was most
tragic. ne was the one of a litter Of
three destined to be destroyed. His lis
master, the goat-herder, Ettore Gao.
claguerra, took him away from his
mother at birth. 1t was then nine O'Clock
IN the morning. After holding him for a
LeW SECONDS under water, in a small
basin, ne took the tiny inert BODY and
cast 1t upon mound of earth. near a
newly,dug hole, intending to decentlv
inter 1t IN halt an hours time, perhaps
The day, with its various occupations
wore on, and it was only at three o'clock
IN the AFTERNOON that Ettore bethougbt
himself OF the sad duty yet before him.
as ne approached the spot where he had
lett the quiet little form he heard faint
SOUND. Nearer still, and he noticed that
the wee paws moved feebly. Astonished
beyond measure, he picked up the tiny
creature, and saw that it was indeed
allVe. HIS rough peasant heart was
touched. he rightly thought that such
strong, vitality deserved a better fate
than death. He carefully carried the
puppy into the kitchen, where he was
back to his mother. o
Just here. let me caution all my read
ers, big and little, that whenever the
SAD necessity arises to do away with
newborn puppy, or any other small ami
mails, such as kittens and mice, the most
merclful way is to drown them in warm
water, keeping the body immersed until
one is absolutely sure that life is extinct.
The puppy grew apace. They named
him Colo, in honor of one of the tenn
pestuous but unnavigable rivers of his
native land. He is a mongrel-Which
means, he belongs to no particular breed.
but combines the good qualities of all!
He is in the prime of canine life now
being just three years old. His long
,tawny coat, streaked with black, gives
him somewhat the appearance of a tiger.
His pointed nose has most wonderful
scent, and his long, slender limbs never
uselessly give chase to the Corsicap fox.
that dreaded foe of the tender newborn
kids. Ettore's herd numbers eighty
three in all. Colo follows the goats all
day long, and at shutdown marshals them
home to rest. We often think he can
count. If only one goat or young kid is
missing, eff he trots in it's pursuit, and
invariably does he bring the truant back
again. His far-seeing, clear amber eyes
seem to be everywhere at once. Does a
goat apparently suspend herself in mid
air to browse, he anxiously watches her
until she assumes what he considers a
more normal attitude. A laggard goat
is reminded, by gentle push, that time
IS passing. Ii she does not heed, slight
nip OF the clean, even teeth brings her to
her senses.
Golo's great joy is when the young
KIDS begin to arrive. When he sees
Ettore carrying three or four in his arms
at once, with one or two little heads
sticking out of his capacious corduroy
pockets, he runs alongside, barking
frantlcally. He wishes to take his part
IN all the responsibilities of his calling.
He never shirks any duty. Colo always
shares Ettore's dinner at noon, often
pausing in the middle of bone to gather
together his scattering herd. When the
goats pasture in the Corsican maquis,
Colo is invaluable. His 1.-the body can
easily penetrate the thick underground,
his bright eyes distinguish. every danger,
and his sharp teeth soon finish any
enemy. His bravery is undaunted, his
courage of high order. He las been
known to attack wild boar, an animal
twice his size, and dangerous when
aroused, because he came too near his
charges. He sleeps at night in the goat
fold. His watch is vigilant Between
maps he goes the round of the stable,
nosing here and there, to make sure that
all is well.
When Ettore comes into Ajaccio at
dusk to milk his goats before the house
doors, tourists always remark Colo, and
want to know his history. They some
times offer to buy him from Ettore, and
take him overseas with them when they
leave this lonely but thrice enchanted
isle.
But there is not money enough
in all this great wide, wonderful world
to make Ettore part with Colo now.
"Let the strangers keep their gold, ;"
he proudly says: mime is here" touch
ing Golo's beautiful head.
GRACE C. D. FAvRE,
Aiaccio Corsica