DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0023
REMARKABLE HISTORY OF A CANADA GOOSE. 9
attempt to feed with the dog : but this the dog, who rather
treated his faithful companion with indifference, would not
suffer.
This bird would not go to roost with the others at night,
unless driven by main force ; and, when in the morning, she
is turned in the field, she would never stir from the yard-
gate, but sit there the whole day in sight of the dog. At
last orders were given that she should not be molested, but
suffered to accompany the dog as she liked : being thus
left to herself, she ran about with him all night, and what
is particularly extraordinary, and can be attested by the
whole parish, that whenever the dog went out of the yard,
and ran into*the village, the goose always accompanied
him, contriving to keep up with by the use of her wings ;
and in this way of running and flying, followed hint all over
the parish.
This extraordinary affection of the goose towards the
dog, which continued till his death, two years after it was
first observed, is supposed to have originated from his hav-
ing saved her from a fox, in the very moment of distress.
While the dog was ill, the goose never quitted him, day
nor night, not even to feed ; and it was apprehended she
would have been starved to death, had not the orders been
given for a pan of corn to be set every day close to the
kennel. At this time the goose generally sat inside the
kennel, and would not let any approach, unless it was the
person that brough the dog’s or her own food.
The end of this faithful bird was melancholy : for when
the dog died, she would still keep possession of the kennel;
and a new house-dog being introduced, which in size and
colour resembled that lately lost, the poor goose was un-
happily deceived, and going into the kennel, the new in-
habitant seized her by the throat and killed her.
A similar affection was observed between a cat and a
pigeon, some years ago, at the house of the late Robert
■James, Esq. of Putney ; with this difference,, that it ap-
c peareff
attempt to feed with the dog : but this the dog, who rather
treated his faithful companion with indifference, would not
suffer.
This bird would not go to roost with the others at night,
unless driven by main force ; and, when in the morning, she
is turned in the field, she would never stir from the yard-
gate, but sit there the whole day in sight of the dog. At
last orders were given that she should not be molested, but
suffered to accompany the dog as she liked : being thus
left to herself, she ran about with him all night, and what
is particularly extraordinary, and can be attested by the
whole parish, that whenever the dog went out of the yard,
and ran into*the village, the goose always accompanied
him, contriving to keep up with by the use of her wings ;
and in this way of running and flying, followed hint all over
the parish.
This extraordinary affection of the goose towards the
dog, which continued till his death, two years after it was
first observed, is supposed to have originated from his hav-
ing saved her from a fox, in the very moment of distress.
While the dog was ill, the goose never quitted him, day
nor night, not even to feed ; and it was apprehended she
would have been starved to death, had not the orders been
given for a pan of corn to be set every day close to the
kennel. At this time the goose generally sat inside the
kennel, and would not let any approach, unless it was the
person that brough the dog’s or her own food.
The end of this faithful bird was melancholy : for when
the dog died, she would still keep possession of the kennel;
and a new house-dog being introduced, which in size and
colour resembled that lately lost, the poor goose was un-
happily deceived, and going into the kennel, the new in-
habitant seized her by the throat and killed her.
A similar affection was observed between a cat and a
pigeon, some years ago, at the house of the late Robert
■James, Esq. of Putney ; with this difference,, that it ap-
c peareff