174 British War Dogs 



the demeanour of the dogs on being led away for training. 

 The young dog seems to keep a wary eye on its surroundings, 

 as he goes along, as though registering the details in its 

 memory. The old hands, on the contrary, trot off gaily 

 enough, and I have noticed them, when passing through 

 a village on their outward journey, amusing themselves 

 with passing fancies, such as hurried inspections of dogs, 

 cats, and other trivialities, which could not possibly help 

 them on their return journey, and, when released, they 

 would as likely as not ignore the route by which they had 

 come, village and all, and take a nearer line across country. 



At night-time, when there was no possibility of any 

 help being received from the memory of the aspect of the 

 outward route, the effort has to be concentrated on the 

 sense of direction only, and that, as this is the real and 

 legitimate source of the homing faculty, the results are at 

 once more certain and rapid. 



It would seem, therefore, that the causative guiding 

 source of the homing faculty has its origin in the realm of 

 metaphysics, rather than in external phenomena, and if 

 any explanation is sought, it is here that investigation 

 should be made. 



First of all, we find an overwhelming desire in the dog's 

 mind to get to a certain place. I, of course, discovered, 

 as I have already explained elsewhere, that the surest 

 foundation from which to arouse this desire, was the love 

 of the dog to its master. Love, being an ever-primal, 

 and, therefore, eternal quality, the effort involved in carry- 

 ing out duties under this impulse, is such, that it is strong 

 enough to sweep aside obstructions of every kind, and is 

 the most dependable instinct available. 



Starting with this all-guiding impulse, it is of interest 

 to follow out the working of it in relation to the phenomena, 



