The Republican journal., 1916-08-24
Animal Stories.
BY Mrs. Grace c. D. Favre, Formerly
Miss Grace c, Denslow.
TOOTS, A TRUE STORY.

TOOTS, TRUE STORY.
Toots was thoroughbred English pug
Alas! that | should have to write of her
in the past tense! she, who for over
fourteen years was the joy and pride of
our New York home.
Toots, Darling Girl, to give her her full
kennel name, had pedigree as long as
my arm. Her sire and dam were alw VS.
benched in the Champion Glass at all the
Westminster Kennel Club exhibitions.
The little lady herself we kept for our
own delectation.
She was perfect beauty, having every
necessary "point" to prove her a
thoroughbred. An English tourist ex-
claimed one day, "By Jove! there goes a
handsome pug!
She was as sweet and dear as she was
loving and intelligent. She had only a
few So called tricks, which she had picked
up willingly, such as begging, shaking
hands, sitting up, and "talking' in her
canine way. She would sneeze at COM
mand, and when she could not produce
the desired effect, she would deliberately
tickle her nose with her small paws.
She was forbidden to catch flies, the
veterinary having told US the flies crawed
about in the stomach. producing nausea,
and even consequent Intestinal disorders.
One day, having been caught IN the act,
she suddenly opened her mouth, and out
came big horsefy! She had not dared
to swallow it!
Toots had many toys; balls of various
sizes, several dolls, a rubber canary
which could whistle, to her great per-
pleXity, and her very own cherished Imp
ag-doll, "Arabella. We would simply
say in an ordinary tone OF voice, w ny,
where is Arahella?" Off she would trot,
and no matter in which part of the house
the small toy happened to be. promptly
would she bring it to US for romp.
Her greatest feat of intelligence, how
ever, occurred III connection with another
toy, rubber frog with tube and bulb at
tached, which would swim In water when
the bulb was pressed. Toots always i'll
tensely enjoyed this performance, but
seemed extremely puzzled about 1t,
One afternoon, having some company
who were very fond of dogs, we told the
coloured maid, "Sally,' to Till small
tub with water and bring it to the draw
ing-room. Tcots was sitting on the sofa,
being much admired in new. gorgeous
pink ribbon bow, when the tub made Its
appearance.
No one said a word Toots went at
once up four flights of stairs TO her own
special room, where her toys were kept,
and brought down the frog in her mouth
and put it into the water!
The thought and reason displayed were
surely worthy of any human being.
1t formed the theme of many suisse
quent conversation among her hosts OF
friends and wellwishers.
Her manifestations and they were
many-of superior. intelligence always
fiattered our pride.
Toots was very exclusive in her tastes.
civil to all, but cared really only for her
master and myself. refusing even tit bits
from alien hands, Her look of naughty
indifference was often almost ludicrous.
My ambition was to have her live
twenty years at least. She was hardy
and healthy, and had never been really
ill.
Ernest Seton Thompson has said some
where, in one of his delightful animal
books, that dearly loved pets nearly al
ways die tragic death.
1t was so with our gentle Tootsie. At
our country home a cowardly miscreant
poisoned our sweet little dog. 1t was a
foul deed, as cruel as it was UNJUST.
Toots was too loving, too sagacious, too
valuable to have merited such pltlful
ending. The morning of the day on
which it happened she came and sat IN
front of me, and looked and looked at me
as if trying to tell me something. A
friend remarked on this persistent gaze.
What do you suppose she wants?' l
said. That she did indeed want some
thing very much we both realised. If
only had known.
1t comforts me now to remember that
| caressed her long and lovingly.
We suffered terribly at her loss, and at
the manner OF it. For years | could not
speak of her without tears.
closed her dear, dark beautiful eyes
myself. Zone must always remember to
do this for any dying pet.)
To the last dear Tootsie looked lovingly
at me, as if mutely to console me with
the memory of her imperlshable, devoted
affection.
We made her grave on the terrace at
Lelgraden Farm
Over the mound, surrounded by rock
work and beautiful flowers, we placed a
flat slab of Maine granite.
Her epitaph voices our belief IN, the
future life for animals, belief which
happily is beginning to be recognised by
the clergy and laity alike.
Born, March Is, 1889.
Died. August II. 1908.
Aged Ia Years Months &c Days.