THE SAINT BERNARD DOG

PHOTOS:
ST.BERNARD DOG with little barrel(or Keg)
ready for helping people on the snow.

ST. BERNARD DOG in a Wood.

ST. BERNARD puppies
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NOTE.- Really I'm not specialized in dogs,
I just love them.
And now, after the horrible news about
Chinese Menu, I want to tell about a heroic
deed of a St. Bernard dog.
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THE SAINT BERNARD DOG

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The Saint Bernard dog is very large and strong, with a large head, long hair, and
a bushy tail.
He is a noble looking dog, and he is as noble and intelligent as he looks.

His home is among the Alps, --very high mountains in Switzerland--.

There are several very steep and narrow roads, called "Passes", which lead over these mountains into Italy.

There are snow-storms on these mountains even in Summer; but in the long Winter season they are extremely violent, and the paqsses are then very dangerous.
These storms sometimes come on very suddenly, --often after a bright and pleasant morning.
The snow falls so thickly, that in a few hours the traveller is buried beneath the drifts.

Hundreds of persons have lost their lives in trying to pass over these mountains during the winter season. But many lives have been saved by the sagacity and kindness of the Saint Bernard dogs.

These dogs take thair name from the Convent of Saint Bernard, where they are kept.
This house is situated far up in the pass of the Grand Saint Bernard, --one of the most dangerous of the Alpine passes.

Here devoted monks live all the year, for the purpose of aiding travellers; and, with the help of their dogs, they are able to save many lives.

The dogs are trained to look for lost travellers; and every day in winter they are sent out, generally in pairs. One has a basket of food and a flask of wine or brandy strapped to his neck; the other has a cloak strapped upon his back. Thus any poor fainting man whom they may find may be at once supplied with food and clothing.

If the man can walk, they lead him towards the convent, barking loudly all the way for help, and to let monks know that they are coming back.
If the man is too faint and benumbed that he cannot move, they go back to fetch the monks, and guide them to the spot where he is lying.

Sometimes the traveller is buried deep in he snow. If the monks were alone, they could never find him; but the keen scent of the dogs discovers him; and they scratch up the snoww with their feet, and they bark and howl till the monks come to the spot.

One dog is said to have saved in this way as many as forty-five lives!! It's name was Barry, and it was as ingenious as it was brave.
Once a woman who was going up the mountain with her litttle son, who was carried away by a snow-slip. Barry found the little boy unhurt, but cold and stiff. He managed, however, to get him on his back; and thus carried him to the door of the convent, where he was taken good care of by the monks.



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This was a TRUE story, and 'Barry' was
the Saint Bernard dog, that saved the
life of the little boy.

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Now, let's read a poem, that could
very well be real too :



" THE LOST CHILD "

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It was a clear, cold, winter night,
The heavens were brightly starred,
Ehen on St. Bernard's sbowy height
The good monks kept their guard.

And round their hearth, that night, they told
To one who selter craved,
How the brave, he thought so old,
Full forty lives had saved;

When suddenly, with kindling eye,
Up sprang the old dog there,
As from afar a child's shrill cry
Rang through the frosty air.

In haste the monks unbarred the door,
Rugs round the mastiffs threw;
And as they bounded forth once more,
Called, "Blessings be with you!"

They hurried headlong down the hill,
Past many a snow-wreath wild,
Until the older dog stood still
Beside a sleeping child.

He licked the little icy hand
with his rough, kindly tongue;
With his warm breath he gently fanned
The tresses fair and long.

The child looked up, with eyes of blue,
As if the whole he guessed;
His arms around the dog he threw,
And sunk again to rest.

Once more he woke, and wrapped him fast
In the warm covering sent :
The dogs then with their charge, at last,
Up the steep mountain went.

The fire glowed bright with heaped-up logs,
Each monk brought forth a light;
"Good dogs!" they cried, "good dogs, good dogs,
Whom bring you here to-night ?"

In with a joyous bound they come-
The boy awoke and smiled :
"Ah me!" the strangger cried, "some home
Mourneth for thee, fair child!"

With morning light the monks and boy
Sought where the village lay--
I dare not try to paint the joy
Their coming gave that day.




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