Pat and his Dog.

Manawatu Herald, 13 June 1896, Page 3

Pat and his Dog.

In this town there liveth a lad and his dog, and by their actions they prove their affection to one another. The lad is Patrick McGill, son of Mr John McGill, and he has reached the ripe age of eleven, attends the State Sohool when not otherwise en- 1 gaged. He some time ago became possessed of a dog, " Rover," and - the lad being full of fun and mischief j direoted his attention to making his dog like unto himself. Master Pat, with Rover, could run a little show on their own account, as the dog will be ordered away to a distance and when so many yards off his master will stoop down and Rover returns at full speed and makes a flying leap over him. The dog will, for another trial, be sent ahead and then called back and as he is returning Pat will raise his stick to his shoulder in the " present " of a rifle and shout " bang " when the dog will drop in his tracks and lay motionless as though dead, until aroused by his friend and master. The performances of the circus art.ists is responsible for the origin of ' the next trick, that of Rover jumping through a blazing hoop. One more act and we must then leave Rover and Pa fc. to make their own way through life, this is, when the family horse is required, and he runs with a trailing rope, Rover is sent for him and he returns bringing the good horse behind him led by the rope. Good doggy, good boy, may they - keep good and be happy together. We may append as a useful foot note that the origin sf the dog (not Rover alone, but all dogs) is a question most difficult of solution. Some think the breed is derived from the wolf, others affirm it to be from a familiarized jackal ; all agree that no trace of it is to be found in a primitive state, the dhole of India and the dingo of Australia being wild descendants from domesticated ancestors,