Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

The contractors engaged on the Boston water-works, had a valuable cart-horse injured some time ago. The animal was led home to the stable, where about fifty horses were generally kept. The hostler had a water spaniel, who for some months had been among the horses in the stable, living on great terms of intimacy with them. Immediately after the disabled horse was led in, he laid down and began to exhibit signs of great distress. The spaniel at once ran to the horse and commenced fawning around him, licking the poor animal’s face, and in various other ways manifesting his sympathy with the sufferer. The struggles and groans of the horse being continued, the dog sought his master, and drew his attention to the wounded animal, and showed great satisfaction when he found his master employed in bathing the wounds, and otherwise ministering to his wants. The hostler continued his care of the horse until a late hour of the night. Forty-eight hours after the horse was injured, the faithful dog had not left the stable day or night for a minute, not even to eat; and from his appearance it was believed that he had scarcely slept at all. He was constantly on the alert, not suffering any one to come near the horse, except those attached to the stable and the owner of the horse; his whole appearance was one of extreme distress and anxiety. He often laid his head on the horse’s neck, caressing him, and licking around the eyes, which kindness the poor horse acknowledged by a grateful look and other signs of recognition.
This act furnishes a remarkable and affecting exhibition of animal kindness, and should cover with shame the unfeeling men who beat and abuse that noble and most useful of animals, with out a stint or remorse, and are utterly destitute of sympathy for the whole brute creation.