The Republican journal., 1916-08-10
Animal Stories.
By Mrs. Grace c, D. Favre, Formerly Miss
Grace {, Denslow.

By Mrs. Grace c, D. Favre, Formerly Miss
Grace {. Denslow.
Whenever look at Rigo am remind
ed of the words of that feverlsh but
young and gifted genius, Marie Bash
kirtseff:
'Ah, when one thinks what miserable
creature man is! Every other animal
can, at his will, wear on his face the ex-
preston he pleases. He is not obliged
to smile if he has mind to weep. When
he does not wish to see his fellows, he
does not see them, while man is the slave
of everything and everybody!'
Rigo is a canine of forceful personality.
He belongs to the police-station on the
block above. He can scale high wall
with ease, and knows the complete man.
ual of police-dog training.
He is of Flemish race; quite black,
with fawn markings on his legs and I'M
derneath his body. He has to his credit
the running to earth of several human
malefactors.
My acquaintance with him began on
April 10 last, just one week after the
twelfth birthday of "Heart's Delight"
for on that day she met with CHASTITY
accident. A huge female Great Dane
bore down upon her in the street, ard
SclZltlS utE III ueT powerful Jaws, Sic
shook her like a rat.
When our dear little dog fell upon the
pavement, she shrieked with pain. Rigo
was at hand, and came at once to help,
growing savagely at the cruel offender.
When carried our dog home he followed.
She had two terrible wounds in her
shoulders, quite three inches long and at
least two inches deep.
We were i'll dreadful sorrow and ankle
ty. The wet" (such a good one!) came
at once In reply to our urgent mess ge,
and after three weeks skilled treatment,
loving care and intelligent nursing, our
own Hearts Delight" was quite her
self again. 1t was a close call, and her
first walk after her accident was tr-
umph. Rigo saw her from afar, and
came bounding with joy to lick her face
and bear her company.
From that day he has always gone
with US on our daily promenates. He
watches for US, and joins US WITH alacrity.
No other canine is tolerated within SIX
feet of US. Many battle has he fought
already in defence of our little dog.
One day last summer we were walking
along the lake shore, where there were
hundreds of bathers. Suddenly Rigo' S
whole body stlffened and he crept cauti-
was upon a pile of clothes left by some
too confding bather unmatched upon the
sands.
My heart almost stood still. for a
strange and rough-looking man was bend
ing down over the garments. l did not
dare call to Rigo, for that might have
precipitated a tragedy. He stood there
with upper lip drawn back, every hair on
end, and his body ready to spring-a for
midable enemy. The would-be robber
dared not move, and | was at my wits
end to know what to do.
Just then, in the distance, | saw a
familiar policeman, and made him sign
to come quickly, and pointed to Rigo in
the bushes.
the gendarme walked forward briskly,
gave sharp command to Rigo, who
dropped down as if shot. He arrested
the man, and then called to the bathers te
ascertain the owner of the clothes, who
promptly came out of the water, very
much surprised, of course, but wei
left his purse in his coat.
Rigo certainly displayed extraordinary
intelligence in knowing that a.man who
was dressed had no business to be bending
over pile of clothes. There were many
other people sitting or walking about
but as they were all in bathing costume
Rigo paid not the slightest heed to them
| consider it really wonderful perform
ance.
He loves to romp in the fields with ou
little dog, but with canine courtesy al
ways allows her to have the rubber ball
while he contents his sterner self with
stone.
The first time he ever saw Heart
Delight" dive under water and disappear
| thought he would go crazy. He whinet
and yelped, then scratched and paved thu
water, and finally dashed into the LAX
OF Geneva to pull her out.
When he realised that she was doing i
on purpose, and evidently enjoying it, h
looked foolish for minute, and then sa
down and put his own head under, coming
out spluttering and sneezing. He decid
ed he'd rather swim after sticks, Will
"Heart's Delight" scorns swimming, bu
adores the diving. They are such goo
comrades, and everyone admires then
together-she so small and golden, he S
big and black.
He is great comfort to me, for na
grown timid about taking Hearts De
light out to walk.
Now feel quite secure in RIGGS pro
lection and vigilance, and enjoy our dali
two hours rambe as much as ever, wit
the added satisfaction of giving Rigo
good run too.
He is so sagacious, so over-wise, an
sees SO clearly into situation, that he i
almost uncanny sometimes.
He might well think with ''Pudd thea
Wilson" that imam is the only ANNA
that bushes -or needs to!'