To those who love dogs, those faithful friends of mankind, I commend this booklet. Dogs trained at Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, for service in the French Army....

In the city of Neuilly, just across the River Seine from Paris, lives a remarkable woman, Countess Mary Yourkevitch, a Russian by birth, French by adoption. She has for many years devoted her life and spent her income in the interest of the friendless horse, dog and cat. No provisions being made by the French Government and municipal authorities, these homeless dumb animals are left to shift for themselves in case of sickness or distress. She organized the Blue Cross Society of France and for ma

The stories of the devotion of dogs to their masters under the most trying conditions of the battlefront form one of the epics of the great struggle. It is said that there were about ten thousand dogs employed at the battle front at the time of the signing of the armistice. They ranged from Alaskan malamute to St. Bernard, and from Scotch collie to fox terrier. Many of them were placed on the regimental rosters like soldiers. In the trenches they shared all the perils and hardships of the soldie

Early in the war the Germans realized the importance of gaining possession of the French Coast of the English Channel, and thus cut off communications with England and prevent the landing of English soldiers on French soil. The Germans selected Ypres as the point of their offensive and the English were strongly resisting the drive. Men on both sides were being mowed down by shell and shrapnel. For many hours the incessant conflict raged, at one time the Germans gaining vantage positions but to g

At the breaking out of the war there lived in the little town of Méru, twenty-five miles distant from Paris, a man named Jacques Thallant. He had for a daily companion a dog called Bijou, just a common every-day dog of the French poodle breed. Jacques was among the first to offer his services to his country and was accepted. He requested the privilege of taking Bijou with him and his request was granted. Jacques was sent into active service and Bijou soon accustomed himself to trench life, and w

Thousands of soldiers have suffered from shell shock, which proved to be one of the most trying conditions for the hospital nurses—nerves keyed to the highest tension for days at a time snapped under the whizzing and bursting shells which rained destruction in their midst. Horses frequently suffered from the ill effects of this trying ordeal, but it was a rare occurrence for the dog to be affected by these conditions. In the month of January following the armistice, two French soldiers appeared

Of the many annoyances and discomforts of camp and trench life, the rat is the most unwelcome. This species of the rodent family infests these places and not only becomes a pest, but a menace to the health of the soldier. Many a brave man has lost his life from the poisonous bite of these pesky and annoying creatures. Every effort is made to rid the camp of their presence. Of all breeds of dogs, the fox terrier has been found the most effective in the destruction of rats, and many of these dogs

Just a short distance from the Refuge for War Dogs in Neuilly, is located the Soldiers’ Home for the Blind. This is a spacious building surrounded by ample grounds containing shrubbery, trees and flowers. Under the spreading trees are comfortable benches for the accommodation of the occupants of the Home. Hundreds of soldiers, rendered totally blind during the war, are cared for, and spend the days wandering through the grounds and enjoying the comforts that such conditions afford. For two years

Perhaps the most striking dog in the Home was Leon, a wonderful mastiff, who towered head and shoulders above his companions and was really majestic when strolling around the grounds. He seemed to realize that he occupied a position just a few points above the ordinary dog, and his associates seemed to think the same. Leon was a Red Cross dog, and his work during the war was wholly in the line of Red Cross work. He had been awarded the War Cross Star for his work in this capacity. He is possesse

The advisability of using dogs in the war was under consideration by the United States War Department for many months. Provision had been made for the training of these dogs, and in fact many had been mustered into service, when a final decision was reached to eliminate their use. In 1914, just a few weeks before war was declared, I purchased in the city of Neuremberg, Bavaria, a fine specimen of the German Police dog. The reader can see by the picture of this animal that he was by no means an o

During the summer of 1918 I spent two months in Alaska, and while there became familiar with the characteristics of the Alaskan Eskimo dog. Travel during the long sunless winter season would be next to impossible were it not for these tireless sled dogs. Summer is their vacation period and they wander through the villages, camps and mountains, much as the ordinary farm or country dog, spending the long hours of constant sunshine playing and sleeping. From the moment of the first fall of snow, pl

During my stay in France I wrote a number of letters to the press relating to the work of the Blue Cross Society of France, and in return received many interesting letters from America, and in many instances donations for the Refuge. One of the most pleasing was the following, which demonstrates the heart and spirit of the boys and girls of our great and generous country. Livingston Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, N. Y. John I. Anderson, Continental Hotel, Paris, France. Dear Sir: Your appeal for the wound

A poor man in the State of Missouri owned a dog, his constant companion. A churlish neighbor, without provocation, killed the dog. Too poor to prosecute the offender, the man was without redress. United States Senator Vest of Missouri was informed of the circumstances and at once offered his services, without pay, to prosecute the case. The offender was summoned to court and the following plea was made before a jury of twelve men. Without leaving their seats these twelve men unanimously agreed u

The proceeds from the sale of this book are donated to the Blue Cross Society of France, For the Protection and Care of Animals. Duplicate copies may be obtained for 25 cents each from the publisher....