John I. Anderson

“ He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. ”

“ Often whole companies were saved because the dog could reach further into the distance with his senses than could the soldiers themselves.
It was found that many dogs would do patrol and scout duty with any detachment. But there was another type of dog worker needed in the trenches—the liason dog, trained to seek his master whenever turned loose. Amid exploding shells, through veritable fields of hell, he would crawl and creep, with only one thought—to reach his master. ”

“ In 1914, when France was drawn into what was to become a world war, she set about to aid her adopted country. Dogs of all breeds and descriptions were gathered into the Refuge in Neuilly. A systematic training school was organized to fit these dogs for war work, some for the Red Cross, some for trench work, and still others to become messengers to carry important documents and light burdens. It was most essential that a dog for each division of this work should be thoroughly trained, and after this was accomplished the work became one of routine and practice. ”

“ In the city of Neuilly, just across the River Seine from Paris, lives a remarkable woman, Countess Mary Yourkevitch, a Russian by birth, French by adoption. She has for many years devoted her life and spent her income in the interest of the friendless horse, dog and cat. No provisions being made by the French Government and municipal authorities, these homeless dumb animals are left to shift for themselves in case of sickness or distress. She organized the Blue Cross Society of France and for many years has been the President of this Society. ”

“ Travel during the long sunless winter season would be next to impossible were it not for these tireless sled dogs. Summer is their vacation period and they wander through the villages, camps and mountains, much as the ordinary farm or country dog, spending the long hours of constant sunshine playing and sleeping. ”

“ Through a fellow member of the Police Dog Club of America, who had been commissioned by the U. S. Government as official trainer, I had Wolf enlisted for war service and he was sent to Athens, Georgia, to complete his training. After the War Department concluded to debar war dog service, he was turned over to the French War Department, and in December, 1917, was sent to France. In June, 1918, I received a picture of Wolf, showing him in camp in company with two French soldiers, apparently enjoying the novel experience of fighting with the enemies of his native land. ”

“ THE PICKET Thousands of soldiers have suffered from shell shock, which proved to be one of the most trying conditions for the hospital nurses—nerves keyed to the highest tension for days at a time snapped under the whizzing and bursting shells which rained destruction in their midst. Horses frequently suffered from the ill effects of this trying ordeal, but it was a rare occurrence for the dog to be affected by these conditions. ”

“ Sometimes you meet them picking their way through the adjacent streets, Dick always on the alert for their safety.
I had on frequent occasions to pass Dick on my way to and from the dog hospital on Rue Chauveau, and in time we became great friends. Just before leaving for my home in America, I paid a final visit to my dog friends in Neuilly, and was surprised to find Dick in the hospital recovering from some temporary dog ailment. He joyfully welcomed me as an old friend, and I expressed a wish to the Countess that I might bring him to America. ”

“ The Germans selected Ypres as the point of their offensive and the English were strongly resisting the drive. Men on both sides were being mowed down by shell and shrapnel. For many hours the incessant conflict raged, at one time the Germans gaining vantage positions but to give way before the bull-dog tenacity of the English. The strong reinforcements on the German side convinced the commanding officer of the English defensive that it must be a question of short duration until the Germans would achieve the desired objective, and they (the English) would be compelled to retreat. ”

“ Many a brave man has lost his life from the poisonous bite of these pesky and annoying creatures. Every effort is made to rid the camp of their presence. Of all breeds of dogs, the fox terrier has been found the most effective in the destruction of rats, and many of these dogs have earned wonderful reputations as “ratters.”
In the Refuge in Neuilly there is a dog named Toby, who has passed into the professional rat-killer class. ”

“ From the moment of the first fall of snow, play and sleep, become—if a dog ever 25thinks—but a thing of memory, as work is then the order of the day and dogs instead of horses transport burdens of every description. To the hustling Alaskan, a team of sled dogs is the most important asset in his possession.
With the approach of winter, the armies of the Allies were confronted with a very serious problem, namely, how to supply the troops in the mountain camps and trenches with sufficient food supply. Motors and horses were alike powerless to overcome these conditions. ”

“ A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow 30and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. ”

“ The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. ”

“ Great difficulties were encountered in locating missing men, and naturally my task to find a dog was much greater. On my return to France I shall continue my efforts and still hope to meet with success. When I find him—and I pray that I may—Wolf shall spend his declining days in the enjoyment of everything a dog likes best, and when his days are ended, he shall have bestowed upon him a decent burial and the lasting memories of his master.
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Huskie, Alaskan Dog. ”

“ He had for a daily companion a dog called Bijou, just a common every-day dog of the French poodle breed.
Jacques was among the first to offer his services to his country and was accepted. He requested the privilege of taking Bijou with him and his request was granted. Jacques was sent into active service and Bijou soon accustomed himself to trench life, and with the soldiers shared their army privations. Frequently Jacques was placed on picket duty and Bijou was company for him during the long tedious nights of watching.
Picket duty is one of the most hazardous duties for the soldier. ”

“ A green dog, that is, one without any training, is attached by a short lead to the dog instructor. The command is given to perform a certain duty and at once the trained dog is off on his mission, pulling the untrained dog with him. ”

“ THE RATTER Of the many annoyances and discomforts of camp and trench life, the rat is the most unwelcome. This species of the rodent family infests these places and not only becomes a pest, but a menace to the health of the soldier. ”

“ Leon was a Red Cross dog, and his work during the war was wholly in the line of Red Cross work. He had been awarded the War Cross Star for his work in this capacity.
20He is possessed of what is known as a “glass eye,” frequently seen in the horse, but rarely found in other animals. One eye is the ordinary brown color, while the other is a light blue color, together producing a very striking effect.
Only dogs of more than ordinary intelligence are fitted for the varied branches of Red Cross work. ”

“ Early in the morning he reports for duty, and from then on until the close of day he carefully leads and cares for the sightless subjects delegated to his charge. It is no unusual sight to see two men or more, arm in arm, being guided by Dick through various parts of the grounds. ”

“ He showed me the gate through which the dog had dragged himself and up the walk to the house, and the threshold of the door on which he died. They buried the faithful creature in the corner of the yard near a shed where he was wont to sleep at night and where his ever faithful eyes could watch over the safety of his master’s house. A small headboard with the simple inscription “Bijou, Faithful Unto Death” marks the last resting place of Jacques’ friend.
13
Monte, the Picket. ”