I had on frequent occasions to pass Dick on my way to and from the dog hospital on Rue Chauveau, and in time we became great friends. Just before leaving for my home in America, I paid a final visit to my dog friends in Neuilly, and was surprised to find Dick in the hospital recovering from some temporary dog ailment. He joyfully welcomed me as an old friend, and I expressed a wish to the Countess that I might bring him to America. She replied that Dick had certainly done his bit for his country and that it was high time he enjoyed a little of real dog life, and willingly consented that I should have him. The short time until my departure prevented me from obtaining the necessary permit to land him in the United States. The Countess generously offered to care for him until such time as proper arrangements could be made for his trip from Paris to New York. Before leaving I requested the Countess’ lady secretary to instruct Dick in the English language, so that he would be familiar with the speech of his adopted country. Shortly afterwards I received the following card from this young lady: “I told Dick a few days ago that his master in America wished him to learn English, and Dick replied, ‘Tell my master to learn French, as I am a French dog.’”—a very clever reply from either lady or dog. ------------------------------------ [Illustration: Leon, a Red Cross Dog.] LEON Perhaps the most striking dog in the Home was Leon, a wonderful mastiff, who towered head and shoulders above his companions and was really majestic when strolling around the grounds. He seemed to realize that he occupied a position just a few points above the ordinary dog, and his associates seemed to think the same. Leon was a Red Cross dog, and his work during the war was wholly in the line of Red Cross work. He had been awarded the War Cross Star for his work in this capacity. He is possessed of what is known as a “glass eye,” frequently seen in the horse, but rarely found in other animals. One eye is the ordinary brown color, while the other is a light blue color, together producing a very striking effect. Only dogs of more than ordinary intelligence are fitted for the varied branches of Red Cross work. Not only are they required to carry first relief to the wounded, but also to report back to headquarters, bringing with them evidences of wounded soldiers in distress. When they found a soldier who was unconscious, they were taught to bring back some article of the wearing apparel of the man as evidence of his discovery. Sometimes it would be a handkerchief or his helmet, or in cases where these could not be obtained, the dog has been known to gnaw off a button from the unconscious man’s coat and offer this in evidence of his find. Bursting shells and whistling bullets were wholly ignored by these animal heroes as they went about their mission.