We read of dogs who know when Sunday comes; who watch for the butcher’s
cart only at his stated time for appearance; who will beg for a penny to
buy a pie or bun, and then go to the baker’s and purchase; who exercise
forethought and providence, burying bones for future need. Some seem to
have some moral sense, ashamed of stealing, sometimes making
retribution, scolding puppies for stealing meat; others are as depraved
as human beings, slipping their collars and undoing the collar of
another dog to go marauding, then returning, put their heads back into
the collar.[1]
Footnote 1:
Darwin said, “Since publishing The Descent of Man I have got to
believe rather more than I did in dogs having what may be called a
_conscience_.”
Landseer’s dogs used to pose for him with more patience than many other
sitters. Some one said of him that he had “discovered the dog.” He was
so devoted to them that when the wittiest of divines and divinest of
wits (of course I mean Sydney Smith) was asked to sit to him, he
replied, “‘Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?’” The
artist spoke of a Newfoundland who had saved many from drowning as “a
distinguished member of the Humane Society.” Hamerton, in his charming
Chapters on Animals, tells us stories, almost too wonderful for belief,
of some French poodles who came to visit him. These canine guests played
dominoes, sulked when they had to draw from the bank, retired mortified
when beaten; also played cards, were skilful spellers in several
languages, and quick in arithmetic.
Each breed has its own defenders and adherents. Olive Thorne Miller
usually writes of birds or odd pets; but in Home Pets we find a most
interesting tale of a collie, which she gives, to illustrate the
characteristics of that family:
“Nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, in the early days of our nation
and during the French and Indian War, this collie was a great pet in the
family of a colonial soldier, and was particularly noted for his
antipathy to Indians, whom he delighted to track. On one campaign
against the French the dog insisted on accompanying his master, although
his feet were in a terrible condition, having been frozen. During the
fight, which ended in the famous Braddock’s defeat, the collie was
beside his master, but when it was over they had become separated, and
the soldier, concluding that his pet had been killed, went home without
him. Some weeks after, however, the dog appeared in his old home,
separated from the battlefield by many miles and thick forests. He was
tired and worn, but over his feet were fastened neat moccasins, showing
that he had been among Indians, who had been kind to him. Moreover, he
soon showed that he had changed his mind about his former foe, for
neither bribes nor threats could ever induce him to track an Indian. His
generous nature could not forget a kindness, even to please those he
loved enough to seek under so great difficulties.”
This reminds me of several dog stories.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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