A DOG'S FIDELITY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 27, Issue 21, 27 May 1909, Page 837

A DOG'S FIDELITY

M. Leon, a wine merchant at Suresnes, France, had a pretty black poodle, to which he was much attached. It was six years of age, and went by the name of Tom. Last year the wine merchant fell ill, and died. During his illness Tom never left his bedside, but licked his master's hands and manifested his affection in his own pathetic, doggy fashion. When M. Leon died the poodle had to be tied up, for he would allow no one to approach the bed on which his master lay. After the funeral he was confined to the house during the day, for he had made several efforts to escape, and was only released at night, when all the doors were locked. . Then Tom refused to eat ,and whined incessantly. Later on Mdme Leon paid a visit to the cemetery, to place some flowers on her husband's tomb. Three weeks had passed since his master's death, but Tom had not forgotten him, and when the door was opened to allow his mistress to pass he bounded doAvn the steps. Walking behind Mdme. Leon, he suceeded, in spite of the rule which excludes dogs, in entering the cemetery ; and when the widow, after kneeling* on the tomb, rose to go away, Tom was sitting, sad and silent, at her side. Afraid of being fined for allowing him to penetrate into the burial ground, she seized him by the collar and carried him out. But on the way home he escaped and made his way back to the cemetery. Although search was made for him, he could not be found. Next morning the guardian discovered him sitting on his master's grave, but when he approached Tom fled, knowing that if caught lie would be again expelled. The guardian, touched by the dog's fidelity, placed some food by the graveside, but he refused to touch it. Then Mdme Leon came to the cemetery, and tried to coax Tom to come to her. But it was in vain. He stood at a distance and wagged his tail in sign of recognition, but he would not allow himself to be captured. There was only one possible termination, and in a few days more it came. Tom followed his master into the unknown, and when the guardian visited the tomli one morning, he found poor Tom stretched out on the snow which covered M. Leon's remains.