DOG THAT SINGS

Shannon News, 4 December 1925, Page 3

DOG THAT SINGS

ITALIAN BARITONE'S PET. COURSE OF VOICE CULTURE. Now comes the latest accomplishment in the canine world—a dog that sings grand opera, says a writer in a San Francisco paper. And it is gravely asserted that he really can sing. For that there is the word of no less an authority than Signor Riccardo Stracciari. "Bobbie" is the name of the dog, and he is the pet of the noted Italian baritone. Signor Stricciari put "Bobbie" through his daily voice culture recently for the especial benefit of a "Call" photographer. "Sing, Bobbie," and at the command Bobbie stands on his hind legs and raises his head, keeping his eyes fixed on those of his master. "La, la, la," sings the opera star, and "La. la, la" sings Bobbie, his mouth, opening and closing in as perfect an enunciation of the syllable as dog ever could. "You see," and Signor Stracciari smiles proudly at the accomplishment of his pet. Bobbie's coming to the Stracciari family circle is a case of a dog adopting a man. And never has dog- found a better master. "Slgnora Stracciari and I were walking along the streets of Havana this spring when I felt something brush against my leg," said the singer. "I look down and see this little fellow, so long," and Stracciari measured about Gin. oh the end of his stick.

"Then we go to the cafe and again I feel something on my foot. The little fellow has followed us. We tell him to go away, but he will not. Then we cross the street and little Bobbie again follows. He makes all the traffic stop. He walks with his head up, so, and proud. In the hotel lobby he again rub my leg. So I say, 'You like me, eh? All right, come up!' And he has been always with me since.". At first he understands only Spanish, but t soon loach him Italian and make of him an Italian citizen."

And Bobbie is as proud of his master as his master of him. Not a move can Signor Stracciari make without Bobbie's eyes following him. The slightest nod from the singer and the dog responds. "Of course I teach him music and he loves it," said the singer. , "Ke does not howl, he sings. He is learning fast. He is never strident and h«i never raises his voice above . a true, singing note. That dog, he is going to be a grand singer. "What breed? Who can say? But what does breed matter when a dog loves music like he does?" and Signor Stracciari dismisses the question with a wave of the hand.