28 DOG STORIES 



prove useful on the present occasion. Seeing 

 him looking at the mussels, however, it first 

 took a good look at those in the basket, and 

 then, without being directed at all, went into 

 the water. Selecting the right bunch from 

 amongst the stones and wreck with which it 

 was surrounded, it brought it to land, and 

 laid it at its master's feet. This, I think, is 

 a proof of reason, rather than of instinct. 

 The dog had never been trained to go into the 

 sea, and would not probably have brought 

 out the mussels had it not seen that they 

 were wanted. 



It showed wonderful instinct, however, 

 just before the death of one of its pups, and 

 before its own death. Its pup had not been 

 thriving, and the mother gave unmistakable 

 proof that she foresaw its death. She dug a 

 grave for it and put it in. Nor, when it was 

 removed, would she let it lie beside her, but 

 immediately dug another grave, where she 

 was less likely to be disturbed. Upon the 

 day of her own death, also, she used what 

 strength she had to dig her grave, in which 

 she lay, preferring to die in it, than in what 



