As man advances in civilisation and grows more restrained in the habits and manners of his life, his mind develops, and one of the first signs of his progress is his respect for life as such. The dog, as his constant companion, feels most, in the realm of animal life, the change in his masters outlook. He is treated with ever increasing gentleness and comprehension. For as one sign of a mind of low type, or of a low order of development is an incapacity for sympathy with an intelligence either lower or higher than its own, so with the expanding powers of man’s mind he is able more and more to enter into the workings of his dog’s mind. As his own powers of sympathy and insight grow larger and deeper, he awakens an ever increasing response from the answering echoes in the dog’s mind. Here then we may bear in mind that if the dog had not the inherent capacity to respond, there could be no channel of communication with the larger outlook of the human mind as developed in man.
But if the development of human and canine intelligence has each in its degree and order followed the same line, the mental characteristics of the two races must be akin. It is only, indeed, from the starting-point of reading our own processes of mind into the mind of our humble friend that we can form the slightest conception of the meaning of his actions, which in their expression so closely resemble our own under the same conditions. Surprise, anger, joy, grief, resentment, and the emotions that go to make up the round of our own daily experience, find their counterparts in the dog. It is from analogy with the states of mind that in our own case evoke these expressions that we reason of the feelings and impulses that stir the mind of the dog and give rise to similar manifestations of feeling. On no other ground can we even attempt to fathom the workings of his mind.
If then the dog be our kinsman in the realm of mind, though his standing be on a lower level than our own, are we not bound, in return for the unwavering devotion he shows us, to give him the best guardianship and care that our own higher powers give us the means of using for his benefit? It is to the realisation of this truth that I hope my studies of the dog may help.
Having thus stated the views with which I approach the study of the dog’s mind and character, I must turn for a moment to the sources from which I have drawn the anecdotes that have given me the materials on which I have worked.
Of the five Life Stories that form the First Book, “The Child of the House” was my own devoted companion for over twelve years. Of the other dogs that I have selected for fuller notice, Bruce, “The Diplomatist,” was the property of Mr. T. F. Dale, whose writings on animals and sport are well known both in England and America. Bandy, “The Professor,” belonged to Mr. H. Richardson, who was senior master at Marlborough School, where Bandy’s merry little life, though not untouched by tragedy, was passed. Jack, “The Soldier of Fortune,” was owned by Miss Serrell, whose life-long love of dogs and horses is shown in her book “With Hound and Terrier in the Field.” Miss Helen Dale was the mistress of Jet, “The Artistic Thief,” one of a long line of fascinating little spaniels that have been among her home friends.
When I come to the subject of the many shorter anecdotes that have been given me so freely, not only by my personal friends, but by many whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting, I can only say that my gratitude is very great for the kindly help afforded me from all sides. Without the numberless stories told me by Miss Serrell, I could never have hoped to collect enough for the purposes of the book. To her and to Miss Helen Dale I also owe special thanks for reading the proofs for me and making many valuable suggestions.
Miss Dale has also given me many shorter stories, and her brother, Mr. T. F. Dale, has done the same. Others who have contributed to my little store, and have most kindly lent me photographs of many of the dogs mentioned, are Mrs. Arthur Dugdale, Miss Rose Southey, Mrs. Bruce Steer, and Miss Edith Gilbertson, and through these friends I would convey my thanks to the strangers who have helped me at their request.
Frances Slaughter.
March, 1907.