The Coolidge examiner., 1946-06-14
The Fate Of "ToIIy" A Fine DaImation
Is Oripped in the Hand Of Time

Greater love hath no man than
that he lay down his life for his
friend" applies equally to mans
friend. the dog.
"Tolly" a Dalmation owned by
Mr.. and Mrs Louis Taylor. is in
Arizona Veterinary Hospital. Phoe-
nix. awaiting a decision that will
either send him back TO his beloved
friends. or cost his life. lie was
bitten by a coyote believed 10 have
been rabid while obeying COM
niand from Taylor to attack. All
the Taylors and Tolly can do. Is
wait
The friendship between the three
began nine years ago. when the
Taylors saw Tolly. then a year ola.
red-eyed. chained in the kennel of
dog hospital. awaiting death. He
had belonged To people who did
not understand Dalmations and was
considered 80 dangerous" that
they were having him destroyed.
Mrs. Taylor was attracted TO the
dog at once. but was warned away
sharply as she put forth her hand
TO touch him.
She was not afraid OF the dog
and after much persuasion talked
the men into letting her have II
Tolly went with the Taylors docil
civ enough. but before they reached
their ranch home Tolly was ter
r!bly car sick. The three were in
small coupe and despite their
discomfort Mrs. Taylor spoke
gently TO the dog. wiped its mouth
with cloth. and placed her arm
across its shoulders. After a time
the dog leaned toward her. its
head dropping lower and lower.
until It fell asleep leaning against
her side. That was the cementing
OF lifelong friendship between
the Taylors and Tolly.
Once. In the years that followed.
he saved Mrs. Taylor from an at
tack OF a transient. who had slip
ped up noiselessly behind her and
stood with a bottle poised TO crash
on her skull. as the dog sprang.
Another time. Tolly saved her
from danger by etaking II him
self. She had gone 10 the corral
to feed the horses at dusk. Tolly
Iept pushing against her legs and
uttering a peculiar sound he some
times made when large toads were
around. Relieving the dog wanted
to play and being In a hurry. Mrs.
Taylor tried to thrust him out OF
her way. but Toily refused TO
fudge. The rattler that lay coile1
nj their feet. struck him twice In
the head Tolly almost gave his
life for this. but careful nursing
pulled him through.
Two weeks ago Taylor was out
early looking over their ranch
when his attention was attracted
by a sinking gray form making It's
way toward a rooster that had
sirayed a short distance from the
flock. without pausing to think OF
consequences. Taylor commanded
Tolly TO "get that coyote. The
dog rushed In and the two met In
a brief battle. before the coyote
fled.
When Tolly returned Mrs Tay-
lor was concerned. You'd better
examine him and see II he has any
scratches" she told her husband.
II was found that Tolly had a
single scratch on top OF his head,
which was immediately taken care
of. The Taylors decided to take
Tolly at once TO be vaccinated.
In case the coyote might have been
rabies infected.
Two evenings later a coyote be-
lieved to be the same, was shot by
Paul Diffen on his ranch adjoining
that OF the Taylors. Its head was
sent to the State health depart
ment for inspection and the dread
report came back that the coyote
had rabies.
The Taylors held council and
took their problem to the veteri-