Year: 1878

Nhb. A1Ct


Anecdotes Of Dogs.


Many curious traits are exhibited
by dogs, showing the highest order
of instinct, if not reason. Telesius
relates the following fact of his own
dog, to which be was an eye witness:
The animal had been worried by
q other of great strength; when he
returned to his home it was observed
that he abstained from half the guam
tity of the food regularly given him,
forming a kind of store of his saw
ings. After some days he went out,
brought back with him several dogs
of the neighborhood, and feasted
them upon his board of food. The
singular proceeding attracted his
masters attention, who, closely
watching the result, observed tha.
they all went out together Follow
ing them be found they proceeded by
several streets to the outskirts of the
town, where the leader singled out 5
large dog, which was Immediately set
upon by all his guests, and very Sc
Serely punished.


A watch dog that was habitually
chained to his kennel found that his
collar was large enough to allow him
to withdraw his head from it when
ever he chose to do So Rejecting,
however, that if be should attempt
any such practice when his master
or keeper was about they might 80
tighten his collar as to prevent its
repetition, be always.refrained from
the maneuvre during the day, but
he availed himself of the privilege by
night, roaming about the neighbor-
ing fields that were stocked with
sheep and lambs, some of which on
sundry occasions he wounded or
killed. Bearing on his mouth the
marks of bis rnisdeeds be would go
to neighboring stream to wash off
the blood, having done this be would
return to his kennel, and, slipping his
head into his collar, lie down ON his
bed as though he had been there all
night.


Mr.. Jesse gives the following an
ecdote of remarkable sagacity in
dog belonging to farmer in Lincoln.
shire: Ii any we'll dressed person
goes into the farm yard during the
day the dog takes no notice of him.
If, however, beggar enter tho
premises the dog instantly goes to
him, gently lays hold of bis stick or
clothes and quietly leads him to the
door of the dwelling house, and sees
him safe off the premises under SIM
liar precautions. But in the night
the faithful animal will apprehend all
persons alike, and never release q
gentle grasp until hidden by his mas
ter or mistress. The latter has
sister living on an adjoining farm. In
order to make short cut between
the two houses a single plank was
thrown across deep brook. The
wife of the owner of the dog con-
stantly and fearlessly intrusts her
little children to his care when on a
visit to their aunt. The animal halts
the little group of children when be
comes to the narrow bridge, and con-
ducts them over one by one, always
taking firm hold of the cbild's gar.
ments behind, and when he has safe
ly escorted one child be returns for
another He then waits their return
and conveys them home in similar
manner.


AT Woolwich Theatre, during the
performance of "Sesse Vere," in the
third act, in,which a terrific combat
takes place between q mother and
two assassins for the possession of
her child, large Newfoundland dog
that bad managed to get into the pit
along with bis owner Gan engineer of
a Steamship leaped over the heads
of the musicians in the orchestra and
flew to the rescue, and seizing one
of the ruffians dragged him to the
floor. The dog was with difficulty
removed and dragged off the stage.
He had been accustomed to the CON-
pany of children and had on many
occasions evinced strong proofs OF af-
fection. The mimic life on the thea
tre stage had all the appearance of
reality to the noble brute and be has
tened to exhibit the promptings Of his
kindly instincts.