JOY IN AMIENS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 17, 22 January 1919, Page 3

JOY IN AMIENS

ON ARRIVAL OF ALLIES. Tho special correspondent of the Edinburgh Scotsman, writin gof the joy in Amiens when the arrived, speaks wi.h keen appreciation of the Australians' love for their animal allies in the great war. He remarked that this deep affection for animals is typical of all tlie Australians, and is a pleasant little touch of Character greatly admired by the French and British allies. He says; “An example if Australian kindliness to animals came up during a. visit I made to ore of the brigade headquarters. Here was rather a savage-looking dog, black and t;.-*.,, suggesting bo hj the co lie and the A |, ‘-- kan! It was threatened, coaxed, and cajoled into silence by a stalwart Australian in his shirt sleeves as we entered. The dog was tier man, ;nd uns known as ‘Bertha.’ It tid been f ;i d in one of the German ranmes ;-f m* the Germans had been liurm'dly expelled. Its German masters nai tiair. Ed it io carry messages, hi id it yas an animal of exceptional intelligence. For the Australian captain who had found it and made himself its .-.pr-msor, it, showed an extraordinary affection. At the time of our ’'sit the c- tain was away; and the staLvrrt Austral an, who was acting as cook, expla red Tvv the dog was rather in 1 w rjdrits, am would* remain so until * { s. leturu. l * slept in the captain’s s-Vltr.r, and ""v----one who intruded in that sanctuary during the night his life. A curious trait of this animal was its inspect for the ocer’s inifonn. Anv *'fr cer approaching headquarters was respectfully received by the dog, but to a private he showed an implacable hostility. The dog had imbibed ihe German discipline. The cook, however, was an exception to the general rule, and, as be hinlfeelf explained, r.e reason was obvious. It is not oflen that national characteristics are so oehm £iy communicated to dumb animals.