We have a story of a retriever who was forced to forego breakfast
on the morning of a shoot. Retrievers, as they grow old, often grow
cunning, and we saw this one getting the better of his master in
a novel and drastic way. The old dog had grown fat, and somebody
complained that he was inclined to be lazy in his work. It was decided
that he had too much to eat, and it was to improve his activity during
a day's partridge driving that his master kept him without breakfast,
usually a heavy meal. There was a cold partridge that came within
range of the dog's nose--but his longings were not gratified. Out
in the fields the dog was sent for the first bird his master shot,
a runner. Away went the dog with unusual speed; he picked up the
bird, and then quietly sat down and made a meal of it. Having had his
breakfast, he did his work handsomely for the rest of the day.
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