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Edinburgh Magazine

1798-Apr | "Extraordinary Fidelity and Sagacity of Two Dogs, From Young's Essay on Humanity to Animals" Edinburgh Magazine, or Literary Miscellany 11 (1798-Apr): 288; Digitized by Google, Online at Google Books.

Sagacity of Two Dogs, Essay on Humanity to Animals

Thomas Young

Edinburgh Magazine

Extraordinary Fidelity and Sagacity of Two Dogs.
(From Young's Essay on Humanity to Animals)

A Shepherd had driven a part of his flock to a neighbouring fair, leaving his dog to watch the remainder during that day and the next night, expecting to revisit them the following morning. Unfortunately, however, when at the fair, the shepherd forgot both his dog and his sheep, and did not return home till the morning of the third day. His first inquiry was, whether his dog had been seen? The answer was No—Then he must be dead, replied the shepherd, which a tone and gesture of anguish for I know he was too faithful to desert his charge. He instantly repaired to the heath. The dog had just sufficient strength remaining to crawl to his matter's feet, and express his joy at his return, and almost immediately after expired.

In the very severe winter betwixt the years 1794 and 1795, as a young man was looking after his father's sheep, on a common not far from Penrith in Cumberland, he had the misfortune to fall and break his leg. He was then three miles from home, no person within call, and evening approaching. Under the impulse arising from the desperate circumstances of his situation, he folded up one of his gloves in his handkerchief, tied this about the neck of his dog, and ordered him home. The dogs that are trained to an attendance on the flocks are known to be under admirable subjection to the commands of their masters. The animal set off; and arriving at the house, scratched at the door for admittance. The parents were alarmed at his appearance; and concluding, upon taking off and unfolding the handkerchief that some accident had undoubtedly befallen their son, they instantly set off in search of him. The dog needed no invitation. Apparently sensible the chief part of his duty was yet to be performed, he led the way, and conducted the anxious parents directly to the spot where their son lay. The young man was taken home; and the necessary aid being procured, he was soon in a fair way of recovery.