DOG PLAYS DOMINOES.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 21, 15 September 1911, Page 2

DOG PLAYS DOMINOES.

Mr Leonard, a gentleman of independent fortune, who has taken up the instruction of dogs as a curious and interesting investigation, succeeded in teaching one of them to be a good and successful player at dominoes. On a recent occasion, after putting his dogs through a number of performances, he invited one of the gentlemen who were looking on to play a game of dominoes with one of the dogs, which seated itself on a chair at the table, the gentleman and Mr Leonard being seated opposite. Six dominoes were placed on their edges in the usual manner before the dog, and a like number before the gentleman. The dog, having a double number, took it in his mouth and put it in the middle of the table; the human player then placed a corresponding number on one sidle; the dog immediately played another correctly, and so on until all the pieces were used. Other six dominoes were then given to each, and then the gentleman intentionally played a wrong number. The dog looked surprised, stared very earnestly at his opponent, growled, and at last barked angrily. Finding no notice taken of its remonstrances, the dog pushed away the wrong domino with its nose, and, taking up a suitable one from its own pieces, played it in the place of that removed. The gentleman then played correctly, the dog followed, and won the game. Not the slightest intimation was given by Mr Leonard to the dog, and its play seemed to be entirely the result of its own observation and judgment.—'Live Stock Journal.'