486 



FIDELITY AND ATTACHMENT OF DOGS. 



man, is a fact so universally allowed, that it is not my purpose to venture 

 any remarks on a subject which has occupied the attention, and guided 

 the pens of far abler writers than myself. But it appears to me that 

 any illustrations of their noble friendship, their disinterested attach- 

 ment, and their unshaken fidelity, cannot fail to interest those who 

 study the great volume of nature, and on that account the following is 

 offered. 



A particular friend of mine, Mr. J— — , resided with his married 

 son and his family, and was beloved by all, but by no one more than 

 an old and valued four-footed friend, called Sim. This sagacious 

 creature was more attached to my late respected friend than any one 

 can imagine, for he watched his every look, his every action, and long 

 and patiently would he solicit the long-wished for pat or kind word 

 which frequently was bestowed on him. Sim sat at his master's feet 

 the whole day — when he rose from his chair, Sim followed gently and 

 unobtrusively : he always was at his side. He ate nothing but from 

 his master's hand, and if he ever spoke sharply to him, he evinced, 

 through the whole day by his subdued demeanour, how deeply he felt 

 the rebuke. If his master went out and did not allow him to follow 

 him, poor Sim did not rest, until he had sought out some glove, or 



book, or something belonging to Mr. J , which, when he had 



secured, he laid him down, and woe be to whoever was so rash as to 



wish to deprive him of it. If Mr. J 's carriage came to the door, 



Sim was all eagerness the moment its wheels were heard, long before 

 any person in the room with him knew to whom it belonged (for the 

 drawing-room did not command a view of the carriage drive to the 

 house) ; and what is still more singular, if another carriage drove up to 

 the door before that of his master, Sim took no notice of it whatever ; but 

 the moment those wheels approached, he -was in an extacy of joy and 

 impatience, for he always had accompanied it ; but being at the time I 

 speak of too old, his indulgent master took him in, and he always sat 

 at his feet quite upright, as if delighted to show to other dogs his 

 elevation. He always slept at his master's bed-room door, and if his 

 master was ill, Sim evinced the greatest grief, sitting by the side of the 



bed ; and if Mr. J called to him, leaping on the bed, and crawling 



very gently, as if fearing to annoy him by being too rough in his caresses, 

 he would lick his hand, and, after a great show of pleasure, resume 

 his station by the bed-side. At length, however, the poor gentleman 

 became worse and worse ; Sim was grieved beyond measure, scarcely 

 ate any food,, and no force or coaxing could induce him to quit the side 



