THE NATURALIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 1933, 12 March 1891, Page 38

THE NATURALIST.

Another TFise Dog Story. A correspondent of the Animal World vouch*. s fV»- the truth'of the following story, as r occuired in his nwn family. It happened bctoio tbe time of railways, when ii was the custom for gentleman to have their country houses within driving distance of town. My great grandfather, he writes, kept at his London house two doge, one a very large dog, the other an exceedingly small one, but in spite of their disparity as to size they were very firm friends, the big one always defending and taking the part of fthe little one on every occasion. The family were leaving one day for their country place, which was situated about 25 miles west of London, and at the last moment decided to take the little dog with them. This was the first time he had ever been taken beyond the premises. On arriving at their destination, as they drove in at the gates, the little dog jumped out of the carriage, and was immediately attacked by a hngh, ferocious dog, kept as a protection. The poor little creature was rescued, and the big dog punished for his cowardice.

During the evening the little dog was missed; the servants searched everywhere, but he was not found.

The next morning as the coachman was standing at the gates looking up the road, what should he see but the little dog trotting along deliberately by the side of the big dog that had been left in town. The man was greatly surprised, and naturally watched to see what they would do. Tbe little dog appeared to be leading the big one, and arriving inside the gates, the big dog went alone into the yard at the side, and without the slightest hesitation walked straight up to the savage dog, and attacked him with tremendous ferocity, not desisting until be appeared to think he had been properly and and sufficiently chastised. The little dog now joined his big friend, and showed unmistakeable signs of gratitude for his revenging him. After remaining some little time together they appeared to take leave of each other, and the big dog trotted away steadily on the road for town, arriving safely at home some hours later.

The above anecdote seems to prove that dogs have some method of communicating their ideas to each other, as the little dog not only fetched his big friend, but must also have made him understand that he had been cruelly treated by the strange dog, and desired to have him suitably punished. Ever after this the savage animal treated the little one with marked respect.