DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0019
REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF SAGACITY IN DOGS. 5
when extreme torture forcing him to fly, his tender-hearted
master, as a reward for his fidelity, took a gun and imme-
diately shot him. The scene where this singular act of hu-
manity took place, was at the Robinhood public-house,
near Helsby, in the county of Chester. The authenticity
of which, many of the inhabitants of that place can testify.
TWO REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF SAGACITY IN DOGS.
In the latter end of the month of February 1795, as Mr.
Boustead’s son, of Great Salkeld, Westmoreland, was
shepherding upon Great Salkeld Common, he had the mis-
fortune to fall and break his leg. He was then at the dis-
tance of three miles from home, no person within call, and
evening fast approaching. Besides the anguish he was suf-
fering from the fracture, how dreadful must his feelings
have been, from the accumulated distress of his situation,
At a moment when distraction was likely to overcome the
powers of reason and reflection, Providence directed him
to the following expedient:—He folded one of his gloves
in his handkerchief, which he tied round the neck of the
dog, and ordered him home. The dogs which are trained
to an attendance on the flock, are known to be under ad-
mirable subjection to the commands of their masters. The
animal instantly set off, arriving at the house, scratched at
the door for admittance. The young man’s parents were
alarmed at his appearance, and more especially when they
took off and unfolded the handkerchief; concluding, be-
yond a doubt, that some accident had befallen their son,
they instantly -went in search of him. The dog needed no
instruction, apparently sensible that the chief part of his
duty was yet to be performed, he led the way, and con-
ducted the anxious parent to the spot where their son laid 1
Happily this was effected before night had set in ; the
young man was brought home, and the necessary aid pro-
cured ;
when extreme torture forcing him to fly, his tender-hearted
master, as a reward for his fidelity, took a gun and imme-
diately shot him. The scene where this singular act of hu-
manity took place, was at the Robinhood public-house,
near Helsby, in the county of Chester. The authenticity
of which, many of the inhabitants of that place can testify.
TWO REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF SAGACITY IN DOGS.
In the latter end of the month of February 1795, as Mr.
Boustead’s son, of Great Salkeld, Westmoreland, was
shepherding upon Great Salkeld Common, he had the mis-
fortune to fall and break his leg. He was then at the dis-
tance of three miles from home, no person within call, and
evening fast approaching. Besides the anguish he was suf-
fering from the fracture, how dreadful must his feelings
have been, from the accumulated distress of his situation,
At a moment when distraction was likely to overcome the
powers of reason and reflection, Providence directed him
to the following expedient:—He folded one of his gloves
in his handkerchief, which he tied round the neck of the
dog, and ordered him home. The dogs which are trained
to an attendance on the flock, are known to be under ad-
mirable subjection to the commands of their masters. The
animal instantly set off, arriving at the house, scratched at
the door for admittance. The young man’s parents were
alarmed at his appearance, and more especially when they
took off and unfolded the handkerchief; concluding, be-
yond a doubt, that some accident had befallen their son,
they instantly -went in search of him. The dog needed no
instruction, apparently sensible that the chief part of his
duty was yet to be performed, he led the way, and con-
ducted the anxious parent to the spot where their son laid 1
Happily this was effected before night had set in ; the
young man was brought home, and the necessary aid pro-
cured ;