The Road to Dumbiedykes 



to any loss he may fancy he has suf- 

 fered. For even as the prophet saith: 

 "The ox knoweth his owner and the 

 ass his master's crib." 



But with your dog it's different. 

 You don't really know what grief is 

 until you are a boy ruthlessly dragged 

 away for good and all from a Collie 

 you have owned. Collies are peculiar 

 dogs shy and suspicious of strangers, 

 but tied with hoops of steel to one who 

 has their confidence. Unlike your 

 roving terriers, all boys do not look 

 alike to a Collie. He takes not up 

 with the first fellow he may chance 

 to meet, no matter how civil be the 

 greeting. He does not make friends 

 readily. He is chary of his affec- 

 tions. He is not a good mixer. With 

 him the social instinct is not highly 

 developed. He only knows his own 

 and his master's own, and in respect 

 to that stands ever on the defense, 

 and in this sacred service he will do 

 or die. 



[16] 



