THE EMOTION OF GRIEF IN ANIMALS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The dog-story told by a correspondent in the Spectator of June 22nd, illustrative of "the emotion of grief in animals," recalls to my mind an incident in which a dog's grief at the loss of a companion, and memory are both dis- played. Dutch ' was a brown retriever of advanced years ; Curly' was reputed to be a Scotch terrier, but his appearance suggested some uncertainty in his descent. 'Dutch' was chained to her kennel, and Curly,' who enjoyed his liberty, evinced his friendship by frequently taking bones and other canine delicacies to his less fortunate friend. One morning Curly' presented himself at the house evincing unmistakable signs of grief by his demeanour and his whines. A visit to the kennel, where poor Dutch' was found lying dead, showed the occasion of Curly's ' unhappiness. We buried 'Dutch' decorously under a vine in the garden, and supposed that Curly ' would forget the incident, but we were touched to see him in the capacity of faithful mourner frequently revisit the spot where his old friend was laid, taking with him by way of offering, choice bones, which be carefully buried by the grave. This practice ' Curly' continued for two years, when we
left the house.—I am, Sir, &c., A. E. W.
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