A Useful Bitch. 75 



Ridley, of Wolsingham, were exhibiting some good dogs 

 at the many shows held in the district, and one of them, a 

 big, strong, sensible-looking bitch, to which I had awarded 

 prizes, became a celebrity in her way and the heroine of a 

 sensational and interesting case in the County Court. This 

 is mentioned here as an instance of the sagacity of the 

 smooth-coated sheep dogs, for the hundreds of stories told, 

 many of which are purely imaginative, are understood to 

 be applicable only to the more fashionable breed with long 

 hair and shaggy jackets. 



As it happened, the Messrs. Ridley's bitch was lost from 

 a small show, and, after considerable delay, they sued the 

 secretary for her value, which they estimated at 50. In 

 proof of this they not only gave evidence of her worth 

 as a prize bitch, but, to further enhance her value, Mr. J. 

 Ridley swore that, on one occasion, he, being out on the 

 fells with the same animal, was unfortunate enough to slip 

 and break his leg. He was some miles from his own farm, 

 without any assistance whatever, and of course quite unable 

 to drag himself into any position where he might attract a 

 passing wayfarer, a shepherd, or a farm labourer. Happily, 

 he bethought himself of his dog, and attaching a note to 

 her neck, bid her " Away home, Lassie ! " She obeyed the 

 order, the slip of paper on which assistance was asked 

 was noticed, and in due course the friends of the young 

 farmer were guided to the spot, where he was found unable 

 to assist himself. One would have thought so clever a dog 

 as this would have been worth more than the 10 note the 

 County Court judge awarded as damages for its loss. Pos- 

 sibly it saved the man's life. 



As to the value of collie dogs, Mr. Montagu Williams, 

 the eminent barrister and distinguished metropolitan police 



