Good Example by a Dog by Lutheran Magazine

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Nov 20, 1879

Good Example by a Dog.

By Lutheran Magazine

My eldest son was crossing the fields in the country, some distance from any dwelling, when he was pursued by a large and fierce dog, belonging to the gentleman whose land he was crossing. The lad was alarmed, and ran for his life. He struck into the woods, and the dog gained upon him, when he looked around to see how near the creature was, and stumbling over a stone, he pitched over a rock and broke his leg. Unable to move, and at the mercy of the beast, the poor fellow saw the dog coming down upon him, and expected to be seized and torn; when, to his surprise, the dog came near, perceived that the boy was hurt, instantly wheeled about and went off for that aid which he could not render himself. There was no one within reach of the child's voice, and he must have perished there, or have dragged his broken limb along, and destroyed it so as to render amputation necessary, if the dog did not bring him help. He drew up his leg, and it hung at a right angle, showing him plainly the nature of his misfortune, and the necessity of lying still.

The dog went off to the nearest house and barked for help. Unable to arrest attention, he made another visit of sympathy to the boy and then ran to the house, there making such demonstrations of anxiety that the family followed him to the place where the child lay. Now, observe that this dog was pursuing this boy as an enemy; but the moment he saw his enemy prostrate and in distress, his rage was turned to pity, and he flew to his relief. Here was true feeling, and the course he pursued showed good judgment. He was a dog of heart and head. Very few men, not all Christians, help their enemies when they are down. Some do not help their friends when they fall. This dog was better than many men who claim to be good men. I do not say that he reasoned in this matter; but there is something in his conduct on this occasion that looks so much like the right kind of feeling and action, that I think it deserves to be recorded to his credit. As few dogs will read the record, I commend the example to all mankind for their imitation.—Lutheran Magazine.