CANINE INSTINCT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20505, 25 August 1936, Page 6

CANINE INSTINCT

DOG’S SEARCH FOR OWNER REUNION IN TIMARU Few of those who saw a large w’hite dog of the Samoyede breed padding dejectedly around the streets of Timaru, and even along some of the secondary highways of South Canterbury, during the week-end realised that there was being enacted just one more of those touching little dramas which happen very now and again—the story of the dog who has lost its master. That was what had happened to the Samoyede, but in this case it was its mistress it was seeking. This is how it happened. About a fortnight ago, a spinster who lives in a little town some five miles from Invercargill, motored to Timaru to spend a holiday here and she brought her dog with her. It was the Samoyede, which she imported from Russia seven years ago and which she has come to regard as her best friend in life. As is possible only with a pet of the canine species, there grew up between dog and mistress a deep comradeship and they became as Mary and her lamb. Making a Timaru hotel her headquarters for the holiday, the woman paid brief visits to several friends in South Canterbury. One day she drove, with her animal companion, to Pleasant Point via Claremont. Later she spent a few days on a farm about 30 miles south of .Timaru and from there went on to another place some miles away, returning to Timaru towards the end of last week. Escaped From Car On Saturday morning the woman set out to do some shopping in Stafford Street, taking the dog with her as usual. Parking her car, she shut the dog inside and went on her errands. While she was away the Samoyede discovered that the door of the car was not properly closed and set out to join his mistress. He visited several shops without finding any trace of her and then sought her further afield. With uncanny instinct, he set off on a tour of all the places his mistress had visited in the district during the fortnight. So it was that he was seen plodding along the Claremont road on Saturday afternoon and later was noticed dejectedly making mute inquiries in Pleasant Point. She was not there. Undaunted, the big white dog retraced his steps and, padding purposefully south, arrived at the farm 30 miles from Timaru on Sunday. There he was recognised but all efforts to catch him failed and he stayed only long enough to convince himself that his long trek had been in vain. But there was another place some ’•liles further on at which his mistress had stayed. She must be there. Tired now and his fine white coat badly travel stained he pushed on, instinct alone directing him. But no, she was not at e farm. Nothing left but to return the way he had come. His businesslike lope was reduced to a trot now and Timaru was a long way off. But he padded on. Owner’s Plight Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the dog’s owner was nearly frantic with anxiety. Different authorities were communicated with but they could offer no clue as to the Samoyede’s whereabouts. Advertisements were placed in the newspapers, but yesterday the time came when the woman must leave on the return trip to Invercargill Heartbroken a* only a true dog lover can be, she was forced to set out without her faithful friend in his accustomed seat beside her. With every mile the gap between her and her pet widened, for she realised that once she reached her home the prospects of the dog being returned to her were remote. Near Oamaru, her mental state was such that she could go no farther without re?' uring herself that the Samoyede had not returned since she left Timaru. She broke her journey and telephoned to the hotel in Timaru seeking information. Was It Fate? Over the telephone the woman learned of the dog’s long trek in search of her, friends having reported seeing him on Sunday. With this glimmer of hope, she turned the car and sped back to Timaru, arriving outside the hotel at 7.30 last night. She stepped from the car and there, footsore and dirty was the Samoyede, limping down the street towards the hotel. What a reunion that was! What prompted that woman to stop her journey southwards and return to Timaru? What made the dog, after its long and fruitless search return to the hotel? What made their return coincide? Was it instinct or luck, or is there some kind Fate which arranges these things for us? Dog lovers will say the latter is the case.