WONDERFUL WAR-DOGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10064, 31 August 1918, Page 11

WONDERFUL WAR-DOGS

IN THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS. The recruited dogs are ae well, cared for as any other soldiers, writes Herbert Vivian in tlio "Daily Mail." At the canine base, unfortunately near Bologna, of sausage fame, everything is as smart and luxurious as any liravo "v» ar-dog. can desire. Ho finds tho training groat sport. ; Afc.<3awn lie is summoned by- bugle • for his early run, after-which-he finds a full ration of breakfast. outside his cubicle. Then he must accustom himself to drawing a sledge, wearing; a gas mask, and telling the difference between friend and foe. The latter is taught by.-offering him the enemy uniform impregnated with (something he particularly dislikes. In camp, ho salutes all soldiers affectionately arid bites civilians who do not advance and give the countersign.' Tho only exception I came across was a dog called Fritz who bit soldiers and civilians impartially—another instance of the consequences of giving a dog a bad name. But a court-martial speedily sentenced him to be muzzled, and all- was well. - The usual load for a pair of dogs is 1761 b, as compared with 3301 b for an nss, and 661 b for a man. t Like other soldiers, fhey havo a' varioty of jobs and experiences. - Some are—marked out by superior encrgv for dangerous night-work, carrying provisions or ammunition to the firing-line, while others havo easy billets at the rear. Like other soldiers, too, they take 15 days' leave a year, resting from their labours at the Bologna Kennels.