A DOG'S FUNERAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2305, 18 December 1889, Page 2

A DOG'S FUNERAL

When kept within the limits of reason, there it no quality more oomm»nd»ble than affection for animals. But the moment thiß excellent disposition runs into channels th*t instinct or custom haa sanctified to tin nee of humanity, it becomes a fit subject for ridicule and for contempt. Both these feelings are excited by the story of the dog whioh bad the good foituae to belong to a late Oountona of M— -. The faots were diecloaed at tho Oarriokfergus Assizes during the hetring of aa action to sot »Blde the will of a deooased earl on tho ground of insanity. When the dog fell ill the countess took it oat ia her carriage m order to procure medical advice. It was afterwards laid upon tho drawing-room cirpet, where her ladyship kaelb and wept over it, tho noble ea:l kneeling at her side a"d cndeavoariog to oons >le her. Hlfl lordship than tjok the doc; m hla armi and carried it to an open window to givt it a little air. Thf« ooauteas raised a and lamectktloa and exclaimed that h-ar pet was dying. The earl aysarod h r that thia w*b no'- fctie oaee. " I bave aeon many people die/ asid ho ; " and this is osrtaio'y not the way.' To oonviooehla wlfo that 'ba dog was not bo near death tti she uoppoaed ho showed her the manner lv wheh people commonly dio. istr etching hlmaalf oa the carpet-, he lay qa'e for a llttlo tlmo ; then turned hlmsolf from eldo to Bide, dlaorted his fea nros, worked his eyes into a ghastly star >, threw about his arms, went 1 1 1 o oonvuitloDs, aa>i wounJ np l y becoming rigid. The next morning iho family werj In great dht?e«u. The dog had dlod. Tlio oaroaee vrtß aoffered to remain m the drawing room until evening, when it wasr^movad to a lady's bedroom There ii waß " waked " with all the lamoota i ns, eul^glen, and feasting that accompany thiß neooatary preliminary to an irish funeral. Oa the following day a numbor of men and woman wera culled m to nnke preparation for tho funeral rites of the dead dog. A pltunbar produced a lead coffin for £4 lla, and a oarpanter made an outer sheli. The carcase was put into (he c ffii, and taken on a car to -the esr.'scaatle where It wad interred amid the laments, ione of tho earl and counte?B. Nor wrb the dog without mourners of his own four-footed kind. Fifty doge were aoleoted to attend the funeral \v white ecarfa, and positive | orders were given that all the doga m the p»rieh ehoold b^ nroaent st the grave.