418. A French lady, who is fond of animals, at my request committed the following anecdote to paper:—
419. “My dear Médor, a beautiful red and white setter, was remarkable, I am told, for many rare qualities as a sporting dog; but, of course, none of these could be compared, in my eyes, to his faithfulness and sagacity. I looked upon him as a friend; and I know that our affection was mutual. I could mention several instances of his intelligence, I might say reflection, but one in particular gave me such delight that, though years have since passed away, all the circumstances are as fresh in my memory as if they had occurred but yesterday. I was returning from school at Versailles, and having rung uselessly for a little time at the front door, I went round to the carriage-gate to have a chat with my silky-haired favourite. He barked anxiously; thrust his cold nose through an opening near the ground; scratched vigorously to increase its size; and in numerous ways testified great joy at again hearing my voice. I put my hand under the gate to caress him, and while he was licking it, I said in jest, but in a distinct, loud voice, ‘Dear Médor, I am shut out—go, bring me the keys.’ It so happened that the stable where they usually hung was not closed. Médor ran off, and in a few seconds returned and placed them in my hands. I will not attempt to describe my gratification at such a striking proof of his intelligence, nor his evident pride at seeing me enter the hall; nor yet the fright of the servant at thinking how long the street-door must have been carelessly left open. ‘Médor deserves that his life should be written,’ said I to my uncle when afterwards telling him the whole story; ‘I am sure his deeds are as wonderful as those related of the “Chiens célèbres” by De Fréville.’
“My setter was immediately declared ‘Keeper of the Keys,’ and forthwith invested with all the rights of office,—nor was this confidence misplaced. He would never give up his charge to any one but to my uncle or myself; and always seemed fully sensible of the dignity and responsibility of his new position.”
SULTAN AND THE GATE-KEY.
420. Another anecdote touching keys.
A family residing at Chepstow had a house with a gate leading into the castle-ditch, and they used to pass through it almost daily in order to avoid the bustle of the town. The key of this gate was kept in the kitchen, and a black retriever, Sultan by name, was accustomed to ask the cook for it by pulling her dress until he succeeded in bringing her under the nail on which the key was hung, and he always returned it most honestly when the family had done with it. One day, however, having brought it back as usual, he found the cook too busy to attend to him, and, growing impatient he trotted off with it, and for a whole fortnight it was missing. At length Miss ——, being much inconvenienced by its loss, armed herself with a whip, and, standing by the gate, called the dog, and said in a very determined tone, “Now, Sultan, bring me that key directly.” Off he went to a gooseberry-bush, scratched up the key, and brought it to her. He had, probably, found the same spot a safe depository for many a bone.
421. Mr. A——n, with whom I was slightly acquainted,—a man of great originality, and singular shrewdness and intelligence,—had a dog called Taffy, who had a remarkable aptitude for comprehending whatever was told him. He knew by name every member of Mr. A——n’s family, though composed at least of ten individuals. On his master’s saying, “Taffy, give so-and-so a grip,” the dog would to a certainty take hold of the right person. “Harder, Taffy,—give a harder grip;” the dog would bite more firmly. At the third order, “Harder, my boy,—yet harder,” the party assaulted would be too glad to sue for mercy; for no one dared to strike Taffy excepting Mr. A——n. Even to him the animal never submitted quietly, but kept growling and snarling whenever he was being punished—indeed, on more than one occasion he fought for the mastery, but unsuccessfully, for few men are more resolute than was Mr. A——n.
TAFFY A GOOD WATCH-DOG.
422. Taffy was an admirable watch-dog, and fully sensible of the responsible duties that devolved upon him. It happened that, in a violent storm, late one evening, when Mr. A——n was from home, the force of the wind drove in the front door. Taffy forthwith commenced a search from the bottom of the house to the top, apparently to ascertain that no stranger had entered, and he then went downstairs. Next morning he was found lying across the door-mat, where evidently he had remained the whole night, although the cold and wet had been most severe.
423. Taffy’s character was so established as a sagacious, faithful guardian, that Mr. A——n’s sister-in-law, feeling nervous at her husband’s being obliged to leave home, begged the loan of Taffy for a few nights. Mr. A——n consented, and ordered Taffy, manifestly to his great annoyance, to remain at the house. Four days afterwards he reappeared at home, when Mr. A——n, in the belief that he had run away, was about to beat him, but was persuaded to suspend the punishment until it was ascertained whether Mrs. —— had not brought him into the neighbourhood. About an hour afterwards she arrived to make inquiries about the dog, who, she said, had left her house the moment her husband put his foot withinside the door.