136 ANIMALS AND INSECTS 



become very fond of their dogs, and have written 

 much about their faithfulness. Lieutenant Peary, 

 who after many attempts reached the north pole, 

 tells how impossible it would have been for him to 

 have accomplished his purpose if it had not been 

 for the faithful, hardworking Eskimo dogs. 



For many years men have been trying to find 

 the south pole as well, but they could not travel 

 very far on the ice without some animals to draw 

 the sledges of provisions. There are no dogs living 

 near the south pole like the Eskimo dogs of Green- 

 land. One man, named Amundsen, thought that 

 if he took some Eskimo dogs with him, they might 

 be able to carry sledges with enough provisions on 

 them to last while he made the long, long journey 

 from the ship over the ice to the south pole. Sure 

 enough, the dogs did the work; and because of their 

 help in drawing the heavy loads of provisions 

 Amundsen finally reached the south pole, and came 

 back in safety. 



So neither the north nor the south pole could 

 have been reached if it had not been for the Eskimo 

 dogs and their faithful endurance. They say that, 

 ''with the exception of the most intelligent horses 

 and elephants, the dog is the only animal that takes 

 a real interest and pleasure in his work. Whatever 

 work he may be doing, he puts his heart into it." 



Switzerland is the home of the St. Bernard dogs. 

 Have you ever seen one of them? They are as large 

 as a Shetland pony. 



Near the top of a mountain called the Great St. 

 Bernard is a place where men can cross over the 



