Whitey was only a mongrel, a cross between a spitz dog and an English
bull.
We can imagine that Whitey had inherited from her gentle, affectionate
spitz mother, the devotion which this occasion brought into play. This
trait, coupled with the persistence and tenacity of her English bull
father, enabled her to enact the part she did.
Whitey’s mistress, who was getting along in years, was alone in the
world, having only her faithful dog for company. So the two became
devoted to each other. When the little old lady went out on errands,
Whitey guarded her most carefully.
One day the sun was very hot and the old lady seemed more unsteady than
usual. Whitey, looking at her mistress, noticed that she was very pale.
Then she saw her mistress sway and fall. The dog was frightened and
barked furiously. Seeing a policeman down the street, she ran barking
to him, and then back to her fainting mistress.
Understanding what had occurred, the officer called an ambulance and
started with the little old lady to the hospital. Whitey, who was no
longer young herself, gathered herself together. She was not invited to
ride in the ambulance with her mistress. As a matter of fact, no one
noticed the anxious, woe-begone little mongrel. So there was nothing
for her to do but follow the ambulance.
As it threaded its way in and out, shrieking and making ear-splitting,
frightful noises, Whitey followed. Dodging the traffic as best she
could, and dreadfully tired, she followed her mistress to she knew not
where.
Arriving shortly after her mistress was carried into the hospital,
Whitey stood at the door, sniffing and barking. Finally she heard
some one coming out of that door. This was her chance. In she sprang,
nearly tripping up the big policeman, but getting in where her beloved
mistress was. Yelping joyously, she wagged her tail with satisfaction.
Her happiness was short-lived, however, for, in an instant a rough hand
had her by the back of the neck and yanked her out to the street.
Then the English bull portion of Whitey manifested itself. Such
scratching and clawing as she did at that door! She begged, she
entreated to be admitted, until, finally, she was allowed to go in.
All afternoon, she lay on the foot of her mistress’s cot, looking her
sympathy and love, and hoping she would soon help to take the dear
mistress back to their home, where they would again be happy. And
indeed it was not long before this hope was fulfilled.