58 INTRODUCTION. 



by these admirable animals ? A benefit is never forgot- 

 ten by the majority of them; but for injuries, they have 

 the shortest memory of any living creature. Every per- 

 son must have been an eye-witness to many facts of 

 this kind ; but my opportunities of seeing different dogs 

 have presented me with such varied occasions, where 

 gratitude has been displayed in its fullest extent, that I 

 may be permitted to mention one or two. 



A large setter, ill with the distemper, had been most 

 tenderly nursed by a lady for three weeks : at length he 

 became so ill as to be placed on a bed, where he re- 

 mained three days in a dying situation. After a short 

 absence, the lady, on re-entering the room, observed 

 him to fix his eyes attentively on her, and make an 

 effort to crawl across the bed towards her : this he ac- 

 complished, evidently for the sole purpose of licking 

 her hands ; which having done, he expired without a 

 groan. I am fully convinced that the animal was sen- 

 sible of his approaching dissolution, and that this was 

 a last forcible effort to express his gratitude for the care 

 taken of him. 



The following anecdotes tend to set the sagacity of 

 the dog in a favourable point of view ; but the instances 

 of strong intellectual capacity are so common, that it is 

 probable the experience of every one conversant with 

 dogs will furnish many such : — 



A native of Germany, fond of travelling, was pur- 

 suing his course through Holland, accompanied by a 

 large dog. Walking, one evening, on a high bank 

 which formed one side of a dike, or canal, so common 

 in that country, his foot slipped, and he was precipi- 

 tated into the water; and, being unable to swim, he 

 soon became senseless. When he recovered his recol- 

 lection, he found himself in a cottage, on the contrary 

 side of the dike to that from which he fell, surrounded 



