A Parcel-carrying Dog

[Feb. 9, 1895.]



In illustration of the anecdotal letters about dogs and their habits, in

the Spectator of February 2nd, and Mr. Lang's paper in this month's

Nineteenth Century, I send you the following story of a dog which I

had in 1851 and for three years afterwards. He was a handsome

Newfoundland dog, and one of the most intelligent animals with which it

was ever my good luck to meet. I was living in a illage about three

miles from Dover, where I did all my shopping and marketing, being

generally my own "carrier." Sometimes Nep would carry home a small

parcel for me, and always most carefully. On one occasion Nep was with

me when I chose a spade, and asked the ironmonger to send it by the

village carrier. The spade was put by, labelled and duly addressed. I

went on to have a bathe, my dog going with me, but on finishing my

toilet in the machine, and calling and whistling for Nep, he was nowhere

to be seen. He was not to be found at the stable where I had left my

horse, but on calling at the ironmonger's shop I found he had been there

and had carried off the spade which I had bought, balancing it carefully

in his mouth. When I reached home, there Nep was, lying near his kennel

in the stable-yard looking very fagged, but wearing a countenance of the

fullest self-satisfaction, and evidently wishing me to think he had

fulfilled his "dog-duty." My friend Mr. Wood, who was a thorough lover

and admirer of dogs, was delighted to hear of his intelligent

performance.



"CANOPHILIST."



P.S.--I may add Nep always guarded me when bathing, and always went into

the water with me, too, often uttering a peculiar kind of "howl."