Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1874 — The Good-Natured Dog. [ARTICLE]

The Good-Natured Dog.

Ouk Newfoundland dog’s name is Donatello; which, again, is shortened to Don in common parlance. Ke has all the affectionate and excellent qualities of his race. He is the most goodnatured creature I ever saw. Nothing provokes him. Little dogs may yelp at him, the cat OT kTt" tens may snarl and spit at him; he pays no attention to them. A little dog climbs on his back and lies down there; one of the cats will lie between his legs. But at night, when he is on guard, no one can approach the house unchallenged-- ——- But his affection for the family is very great. To be allowed to come into the house and lie down niar us is his chief happiness. He is very fond of my son E , who played with him a good deal, and when the young man went away during the war with a three-months’ regiment Don was much distressed by his absence. He walked dotyn regularly to the station, and stood there till a train of cars came in, and w’hen his friend did not arrive in it he fwent back, with a melancholy air. to the house. But at last the young man returned. It was in Jhe evening, and Don was lying on the piazza. As soon as he saw his friend his exultation knew no bounds. He leaped upon him, and ran round him, barking and showing the wildest signs of delight. All at Once he 1 arneil and ran up into the garden and came back, bringing an apple, which he laid down at the feet of his young master. It was the only thing he could think of to do for him —and this sign of his affection was quite pathetic. The reason why Don thought of the apple was probably this; Wc had taught him to go and get an apple for the horse when so directed. We would say : “ Go, Don, get an apple for poor Ruby;” then he would run up into the garden and bring an apple, and hold it up to the horse: and perhaps, when the horse tried to take it, he would pull it away. After doing this a few times he would finally lie down on his back under the horse’s nose, and allow the latter to take the apple from his mouth. He would also kiss the horse on being told to do so. When we said: “Don, kiss poor Ruby,” he leaped up and kissed the horse’s nose.— James Freeman Clarke , in October Atlantic