RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31374, 20 May 1967, Page 38

RANDOM REMINDER

CONSCIENCE MONEY

The parent disgraced by one of his offspring can hardly disown the cnild. Father has to call on a stiff upper lip, take it on the chin, brace himself, beat his breast and foot the bill. But it is different with dogs. Dog owners can be craven creatures, who take great pride in their charges when they are admired, and looked pointedly in the other direction when the beast tears up the neighbour’s prize plants. A typical example of this attitude occurred when a lady who shall be known as Lulu set forth for the shops with her dog Towser in tow. Towser was a willing party, always associating the shopping basket with the prevision of chewing bones. The bones were bought, wrapped, and put it the basket. On the way back Lulu

called on a friend who did not like dogs. There are people like that. She chained Towser to the basket and left them on the pavement. Women’s conversation being of the long-playing variety, Towser’s patience expired after a while. But he knew better than to attack the basket there and then. He dragged it off round the corner and established himself beneath a car which had just been parked. About the time Towser was on his third bone, the car owner came back, climbed in, started the engine and began to move off. Peculiar noises from beneath the vehicle and the agitated cries of passers-by persuaded the driver all was not well. A crowd gathered. Towser, probably because he had singed an ear on the exhaust pipe,

made It clear he wanted no-one near him. Lulu was drawn to the drama. But this was where her retiring nature took over. She made no claim to ownership, but stayed on as a spectator. Pliers were brought, much advice given, and ultimately Towser was set free. She shot off for home, without a backward glance, or even a hint of reproach at Lulu. When the crowd dispersed, the lady gathered in her basket and bits of chain.

She called at the butcher again, on the way home. And in the end, all was well. Towser would go through it all again. Because Lulu felt that a dog which so stoically refuses to let the side down deserves something better than bones. A large thick slice of the very best steak, for instance.