DOGS I HAVE MET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1340, 4 August 1877, Page 19

DOGS I HAVE MET.

By Uncle Harry. It is strange how -some animals who have no accomplishments, and are not par-r tieularly intelligent, yet manage to become general favourites with all who know them. Such a one was our dog Puck. He was a partly-bred English terrier — in colour black and tan, with a sharp muzzle and bright quick eyes. A dapper, active little gentleman was Puck, and a splendid watch-dog. Woe betide any person who Bhould come about the premises after 1 night-fall ; and, still more, woe to any one, who had struck or treated the little dog unkindly, such an insult Puck never forgave or forgot. He .was one of the most attached little creatures to those persons he liked that 1 ever saw. I have known him to follow his, master for 20 miles,' over a rough road/ crossing creeks and swimming rivers with the utmost fearlessness, though he was not particularly fond of water at other times. Indeed, this affectionate habit at last cost him his life. One day, in the summer, the family set out for a drive, and no one noticed that Puck, having hidden himself in an outhouse till the party had started, had then set off after the trap. So long as the road lay near water, all went well with the little dog. There, were several creeks to cross, and one good wide river, in which he could cool himself. He must have been glad to dip into the water frequently, for the day was one of the hottest I have felt is New Zealand. He struggled along bravely until the road struck across a long dry plain, where there was not a tree, nor even so much as a flax-bush, to break the terrible glare of the sun. At last he had to give in, and rolled over in the- dry burnt-up grass. When I came up an hour after, I found the poor little creature lying on his side, with his tongue, swollen and purple, protruding from his mo"th. He knew me, however, for his tail moved feebly and his eyes brightened when I stroked him. There was no water near, so I lifted him on to my saddle, and galloped to the nearest lagoon. I bathed his head, and tried to pour water down his throat ; but it waa too late. We missed and mourned him sadly, and even now speak regretfully of our "poor little Puck." This is generally the jinis to the stories about pets. The last act is too often a tragedy, though the first scenes may have been comical enough. So now I will toll you of two dog friends, with whom, I think, I may safely say, I have the honour to be intimately acquainted. Their names are Dash and Lela, and they are retrievers. Dash is a large, strong-limbed fellow, J

■with brown hair in crisp curls all over his body, long drooping ears, a large head,- a splendid broad forehead with plenty of, room for his brains, eyes very bright and wise, and lips rather too pendant; and heavy, for they give a look of' fierceness to his face that is not at all in keeping with his real disposition. Lela is less handsome, not so well bred nor so large as her mate, but what she lacks in beauty she makes up for in affection. When I; firat knew them, I used to stand rather in awe of Dash ; for he has a way of bounding up to you with loud fierce barks that makes a stranger feel nervous. But, before long, I discovered that "his bark was worse than his bite," as the saying goes. As to the attainments of my two friends, they have received a good practical education — i.e., they are excellent water dogs, diving and swimming like ducks. They will fetch and carry for any distance ; and Dash will, with people he knows, shake hands in a grave fashion that is highly edifying. I once put Dash's intelligence to a rather severe proof. It happened that, one evening, I was going to see his master, and lost a gold scarf ring that I- prized very highly. " I did not notice my los 3 until after , getting into the house, and was greatly annoyed by it. My friend, however, took the scarf, gave it to Dash to smell, and then said, "Now, Dash, go and find it." Dash seemed perplexed at first, as to the object to be found ; but finally went off, and in less than half-an-hour came back with the ring in his mouth. Whether he went far or not, I cannot say ; but the fact of his going out in the dark, alone and unaided, and bringing back the missing article, is, I think, a sufficient proof of his sagacity and good training. I must reserve further stories of my friends for another paper.