THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 62

THE KENNEL.

By Terror.

Fanciers and breeders of dogs are cordially invited to contribute to this column. “Terror” will endeavour to make this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this be mast have the co-operation of his readers, hence he trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to. With the exception of a few notes of general interest, the report on the show must suffice as Kennel Notes for this week, as the space permitted me is necessarily limited. A splendid illustration of the wisdom of governing bodies financing with a view to the possibility of future adverse contingencies is presented by the English Kennel Club's war experience. Notwithstanding much adverse criticism, had built up a reserve fund by 1913 to the amount of £628. “ What could they want _ with sucli a reserve fund?” asked ; the critic. Well, owing to the war and its drawbacks 1914 showed a reserve of only £SO, which shows that since the war started the club has suffered a loss in receipts of £IOO a month,

and only for their big reserve would have been bankrupt, or, at least, be woiking upon an overdraft. It appears that the club’s loss of revenue has necessitated an all-round reduction of salaries voluntary,} and potr.ot.cally subm.ttod to by the stall.

DOG’S DEATH FROM GRIEF

Prince—-a black retriever dog well known at ’ivvjckenhain as a collector of over t ; 300 lor the Railway Men’s Orphanage, the National War Relief Fund, and local hospitals—has died tirrough grief at the absence of ins owner. Railway-inspector Isaacs, who tor two montias past has been on transport duty on {Salisbury Plain. The clog began to pine as soon as the inspector icit home for Salisbury, and appeared to sob like a child. Its Howls were distressing, and the only times the dog would eat were when Mr Isaacs came home for the week-ends or during ttie week. Just before the dog died it went up into the' bedroom and sn.ffed at the side of tile bed where Air Isaacs usually slept, and, coming clown, stood by the side of his chair, and died while howling piteously. A veterinary surgeon could account for the an maj’s cleat.i only on the theory of “a broken heart.”

SAVED BY HIS DOG

A remarkable story is told of a Russian regimental pet which has become a hero. it appears that a suigeon who found a dog dy.ng of hunger took it into the camp of his regiment and tended it. At first the animal displayed a vicious temper, but quickly it became attached to its master.

During a recent engagement the Germans fired upon an .ambulance station, and the surgeon went out, his dog accompanying him, to rescue some of the wounded. Neither the surgeon nor the dog returned to camp that day; but next day the dog, covered with mud, arrived at the ambulance station, and tugged at the clothing of the soldiers. Then it ran towards the battlefield.

A soldier who followed the animal found the surgeon lying on the field injured. Subsequently the surgeon made the following statement: ” Scarcely had I loft the ambulance when a shell fell close to me and buried me in a big hole in the ground. “ When I recovered consciousness I was scarcely able to breathe owing to the weight of earth upon my body and face. “ Unable to rise. I felt somebody trying to remove the earth from my face. “ I could not understand who was attempting my rescue, but at last I recognised that it was the dog which was working energetically to effect my release. “ Throughout the night the clog scraped incessantly at the earth which covered my head, and by the morning had succeeded in uncovering my face. “Then the dog made demonstrations of joy, licking my face, and afterwa'rds ran away. ” I remained tranquil, assured that my mascot had gone for assistance. Help arrived and saved me from death,”

A REMARKABLE RAILWAY COL LECTING DOG. (By Felix J. Koch.)

In the big railway depot at Oxford, England, there stands, mounted and facing the long line of tracks amid which ho plied his art so long, what many of the people of the old university will tell you was England’s most useful dog.

This clog, the pot of some of the depot attaches, had a way with him of slipping in and out of the gates and up and down the platform bettvocn the lines, greeting incoming passengers and attracting the attention of all. Finally, when one of the great public charities was taking up subscriptions and in need of funds, someone suggested converting the dog into a solicitor tp their end. As a result, to the dogs stout collar there was attached a circular metal box, fitted with a slit, the inner side being bent down so that while a coin might be drooped in, the shaking of the box by tire dog would not dislodge it. A little placard, -telling the purpose of the box, was then glued on to the box, and the dog given a few simple lessons in approaching folk, attracting attention to his box, and, on receiving a coin, showing proper gratitude. Soon, as a result, the handsome depot dog of Oxford hoc ame world-renowned. Travellers learned to look out for him; to save coppers, received in change, for him. The sight of on© person patronising him led others to follow suit, and, by and by, the dog had estabbshod a record for himself as a collector for charity unequalled by any other dog of the sort.

One day, however, he met his nemesis beneath the wheels of a train. The railway employees, who had learned ■ to love him, would not permit his memory to bo obliterated thus, and so the dog was properly mounted, and to-day occupies a position of honour, where every traveller may see and read the record of his remarkable work.

SOUTHERN COLLIE CLUBS’ ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of delegates from the various collie clubs in South Otago was held on the 4th in the Excelsior Hotel, Dunedin. and 1 was well attended. Mr A. Scott {Taieri Club) was voted to the chair. The place and time of the annual meeting of delegates was discussed. At a previous meeting it had been decided to hold this at -the place where the championship meeting was being held. Eventually it was moved by Mr James Elliott —“ That the previous motion bo rescinded, and that the annual meeting bo bold -at the time of the Summer Show in Dunedin.” —This was carried. The recent clashing of dates of trials of Waitaki and Strath Taieri Clubs was dise'ussed, and was hold over for further consideration to next meeting, when a report will ho placed before the meeting. The following remits from the Strath Taieri Club were read, and held over till the meeting in November: —“11) Our delegate to endeavour to arrange dates for affiliated clubs’ trials” ; “12) Entries for championship events to be lodged with the secretary before the final run in Class T on the programme of the club running the championship” ; “(3) Ip future the clubs running the championships shall not arrange the dates for the trials until the other affiliated clubs have arranged theirs,” In answer to a question from the Miller’s Flat Club as to what clubs should participate in the ballot for championships. Mr Senf-t moved, and Mr Matheson seconded — “ That in future the ballot be only amongst the affiliated clubs who had not already held a championship meeting.”—Carried. Several clubs wrote asking for a copy of the rules and constitution of the associa-

tion. This raised a big question, and the Secretary placed before trie meeting seme books o£ rules, and oth-r printed matter which ha had received from the secretary of the North Island Association. Those were inspected by those present, and it was decided that the secretary endeavour to procure a sufficient number of copies from the North Island Association to hand to each club in the southern district; to ask those clubs to inspect and study them, and then to send a delegate to the November meeting with a view to enrolling all clubs and adopting such rules and regulations as will place the association on a much better footing. It was also decided to thank _ the North Island Association's secretary for the information he had forwarded. The question of improved accommodation or cheapening of present charges for carriage of dogs to trials was discussed. It was pointed out that these trained dogs arc too valuable to place in dog boxes. Owners when sending dogs to trials or exhibition* have been doing so in crates made at their own expense, and because of this the Railway Department has been charging very heavily. The secretary was instructed to write to the Minister of Railways on the matter and endeavour to have some concession arranged before the November meeting. The secretary was voted £1 Is for petty expenses, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Walls for the work he had put in in the interests of the association as secretary.