346 



THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



own two that can sing, and they will accompany any instru- 

 ment that is played. The small dogs seem to learn tricks 

 quicker than the large ones, and a Cocker never forgets. 

 My son taught a little Cocker forty-two distinct tricks in a 

 year. This little dog was better and quicker than any two 

 messenger-boys in the country; was also a master hand on 

 woodcock and ruffed grouse. 



A friend of mine has a handsome black and-tan Cocker, 

 Neptune by,uame, who considers himself the chosen friend, 

 the guardian, the nurse, the messenger of the family. 



When his master 

 comes into the 

 house, after an 

 absence of a few 

 hours, the little 

 dog is beside him- 

 self with joy. He 

 leaps, dances, and 

 rubs against the 

 man, and in va- 

 rious ways shows 

 his delight. When 

 his master sits 

 down, the little 

 dog will, if in- 

 vited, leap upon 

 NEPTUNE, his lap, rub and 



caress him in a perfect ecstasy of joy; then, without 

 waiting for a command, he will leap down, run and get the 

 man's slippers and bring them to him, as much as to say, 

 "Here, my friend, put these on and be comfortable." If 

 the master lies down on the sofa, the dog lies beside him, 

 either on the sofa or the floor, as directed, and anyone 

 who approaches him while asleep is warned by an angry 

 growl and a show of ivory that the atmosphere about 

 there is unhealthy for intruders. If the master move 

 uneasily or moan in his sleep, Nep is up in an instant, 

 peering anxiously into his face, whining, and showing the 



