Shepherd’s Dog Dies of Starvation Tending His Charge

From Anecdotes of Dogs by Edward Jesse, Esq., 1858
The Colley Or Shepherd’s Dog: a sheep-dog dies of starvation whilst tending his charge

Sheepdogs by Vero Shaw

The following anecdote is related by Captain Brown:—

A shepherd had driven a part of his flock to a neighbouring farm, leaving his dog to watch the remainder during that day and the next night, expecting to revisit them the following morning. Unfortunately, however, when at the fair, the shepherd forgot both his dog and his sheep, and did not return home till the morning of the third day. His first inquiry was, whether his dog had been seen? The answer was, No. “Then he must be dead,” replied the shepherd in a tone of anguish, “for I know he was too faithful to desert his charge.” He instantly repaired to the heath. The dog had sufficient strength remaining to crawl to his master’s feet, and express his joy at his return, and almost immediately after expired.

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