CANINE SAGACITY.

Western Star, Issue 946, 9 May 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

CANINE SAGACITY.

Two animals stories have just been reported. One is of a London dog in search of a doctor; the other a combat between an eagle and a stag in Strathglass. Each of its kind is superb, though the former, if less picturesque, is more remarkable on account of the almost human intelligence shown by the dog. The scene of the incident was Charing Cross Hospital. It was halfpast ten o'clock on Sunday night—not too good by any means for poor patients to be abroad in. Yet, in spite of the weather, one unexpected patient came to the hall door of the hospital, and because he could not speak or ring the bell he uttered a piteous whine. The import of the unwonted sound seemed quite plain to the porter, who opened the door, and beheld,, not a man or woman, but a rough terrier, who deliberately limped in, squatted on the mat and held up his right forepaw, as much tas to say—" I have got my paw injured and I want the house surgeon to look at it." Beadily catching the creatures meaning, the porter went for the surgeon, Edward Bellamy, whom the dog followed into the accident-room, and at whose invitation he leapt upon the chair and again held forth the injured limb. The doctor at once took the matter in hand and dressed the wound with all due care. When the operation was finished the terrier showed decided symptoms of gratitude by licking the doctor's hand and giving utterance to a series of eloquent barks. This form of gratitude became so pronounced that the patient had to be shown to the door. The intelligent creature was loath to leave, and hung about the hospital entrance for a couple of hours.