A KING'S FAVOURITE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11093, 2 June 1914, Page 5

A KING'S FAVOURITE.

THE DOG CAESAR.

[Faoii Oca Correspondent. I LONDON, April 24

One of the most pathetic figures in the funeral procession of King Edward was his favourite dog, the wire-haired terrier Caesar. That poor Crosar loved the King was beyond doubt. For days after his Majesty's death the little terrier/ refused to take food and was practically uncontrollable. In time Ctesar permitted himself to be comforted, and presently became as much attached to Queen Alexandra as he had been to her husband, and was her constant companion. Last Saturday Cassar, who had beeu ill for many days, died whilst under an anesthetic administered with a view to the performance of an operation which it was thought might relieve the dog from pain and prolong its life.

~. Caesar, was King 'Edward's"constant and privileged companion for quite a long time, as time in a dog's life goes, and probably broke more rules of Court and of etiquette, and was guilty of more evasions and infractions of the laws of this and other lands than any dog of his time. He was, indeed, a truly "Imperial Cassar," and it is on record that once when on the. Continent King Edward said, in reply to a question as to whether the dog belonged to him, 'fWell, I am not quite sure whether Cesar belongs to me, or I belong to him!" Ctesar was well known to British and Continental visitors to Marienbad. He accompanied King Edward regularly on his excursions, and was always to bo seen on the golf links and on the croquet ground that had been specially made for King .Edward. During the visit paid by M. Clemenceau, the French Premier, to King Edward at Marienbad in' August, 1908.. M. Clemenceau slily inquired whether King Edward would take Ctesar back with him to England, and remarked with mock gravity, "Surely your Majesty will not set an example in law-breaking." , " I make can't I break 'em?" was the King's laughing reply. Cassar was, in fact, allowed to land in England without hindrance, quarantine laws notwithstanding. Ctesar was a sporting dog, and his hunting instincts often got him into trouble. On one occasion, near Marienbad, ho harried some beautiful white peacocks, and another time dispatched two pet rabbits belonging to Lord -Redesdale'e little daughter. But he had the art of assuming an air of great innocence, and it was impossible for his Majesty or anyone else to be angry for long with Caspar. In his reminiscences entitled "What I Know," C. W. Stemper, at one time King Edward's motor-car engineer, had a great deal to say about C&sar and his ways —"a very nice dog, he was always friendly to me." Nevertheless, so passionately devoted was Cwsar to tho King that if Mr Stemper came too near when the dog was with his Majesty, Qasar would begin to growl his resent-

I ment. When out in the motor-car ' Cesar generally rode with King Edward, and we are told that ho had a way of sitting in his seat, and had many narrow escapes of being sat upon through not occupying his rightful place. He would never remain on the floor of the car, loving to look out of the window all the time.. _ When they swung round a corner at high speed he generally lost his balance and fell on the floor, his efforts to keep his. hold frequently causing King Edward great amusement. When he was not allowed to go in the car he always had to be held by somebody until it was oVit of sight.