% Talk to him and he will never misunder- 

 stand you or give you a wrong answer. Your 

 words, with a few exceptions, such as "dinner" 

 or "drink" or "biscuits," mean nothing definite 

 to him. He listens to your voice as you listen 

 to music, finding in it consolation, hope, en- 

 couragement and exaltation, and satisfying all 

 the vague longings of his soul in your profuse 

 strains of unpremeditated art. Then rouse 

 him for a walk or a romp and he is up and 

 alert in a moment, his spirits raised at once to 

 their highest pitch and all his sense of humour 

 awake to make you mirth. Such is your com- 

 panion during his all too brief life, joyous, 

 humble, faithful and sincere, lending all his 

 strength and wisdom and friendship to your 

 service. And when the shadows close upon 

 him how patiently will he bear his sufferings, 

 how meekly will he beg you for relief. With 

 his last effort he will lick your hand, with his 

 last look he will bid you good-bye, and his 

 last sigh, as his heart ceases to beat, will be 

 one of gratitude and love. 



15 



