Friends and Helpers | Page 6

to be laughed at any more than we do.
Odin was the name of one of Sir Edwin Landseer's dogs, When we look
at his portrait we can understand why the artist should have thus named
him, for Odin was the all-wise god of the old Norsemen.
[Illustration: ODIN. By Sir Edwin Landseer.]
Jack was a famous dog who was with the English soldiers during a
great war in eastern Europe. He was not a dog of fine breed or gentle
training. He had been rescued by one of the soldiers from a cruel death,
and he gave in return his love and gratitude. He fought in one of the
battles and saved his master's life. When the fighting was over he used
to go about the battlefield carrying a can of tea for the wounded men.
Mrs. Browning had a dog named Flush, to whom she wrote one of her
poems. She was unable to leave her room for many long months of
illness, but the little dog spent the weary days by her side, cheerfully

giving up merrier company for her sake.
Lord Byron's dog was named Boatswain and he is buried in the garden
of the poet's beautiful home. There is a monument to his memory and
on it are these lines:
Near this spot Are deposited the remains of one Who possessed beauty
without vanity, Strength without insolence, Courage without ferocity,
And all the virtues of man without his vices. This praise, which would
be unmeaning flattery If inscribed over human ashes, Is but a just
tribute to the memory of BOATSWAIN, a dog, Who was born at
Newfoundland, May, 1803, And died at Newstead Abbey, Nov. 18,
1808.
There was once a poor man in Scotland, who, when he died, was buried
in a graveyard in Edinburgh, his only mourner being a little Scotch
terrier. On two mornings the sexton found the dog lying on his master's
grave and drove him away, but the third morning was cold and wet and
the dog was allowed to remain. From that time, for twelve years and a
half, no matter how stormy the weather, the faithful animal made the
graveyard his home, only leaving it once a day to get food.
At last he died of old age, and was buried in a flower garden near by. A
costly marble fountain was erected to the memory of the faithful little
dog, and a bronze statue of "Grey-Friar's Bobby" sits on top of it.
The most famous dog in America was Owney, the postal dog. He
traveled with the mail-bags from one end of the country to the other.
He even went to Alaska and across the Pacific Ocean.
Owney first joined the Post-office Department at Albany, N. Y., and he
always looked upon that office as headquarters where he must report
himself after a long trip.
When Owney was ready for a journey he did not ask any one to go with
him. He was quite able to take care of himself. He would follow the
mail-bag to the station and jump into the postal car. Having chosen the
particular mail-bag which he wished to follow, he would stretch
himself out upon it for a good nap. He had no further care, of course.
When the mail-bag was taken out, Owney went, too.
Owney was not a handsome dog, but he knew how to make friends. He
was welcome wherever he went, and he often came back to Albany
cohered with checks and medals to show how far he had traveled and in
what esteem he was held.

His intelligence was very wonderful. Many times a tired postal clerk
who had fallen asleep, forgetful of the stations, was wakened by
Owney's barking. The dog had a fine saver collar of which he was very
proud. One day a clerk had slipped it off to examine the medals which
were hung on it and in the hurry of extra work it was laid down and
forgotten. Owney was too wise to leave his collar behind him, so
putting his nose through it and rubbing his head against a post, he
slipped it on for himself. After this he was often made to put on his
collar to amuse his visitors.
[Illustration: OWNEY, photographed by Edward Chickering. Dog
bedecked with ribbons and medals.]
Owney died a few years ago, to the grief of the largest circle of friends
a dog ever had. In nearly every large city of the United States he was
known and missed, and many years will go by before he is forgotten.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF DOGS. William and Edward were two
boys who lived in the same village. They were cousins, and they had a
kind uncle who was always trying to give them pleasure.