“A Dog’s Tale” by Mark Twain is a stirring short story. It is told in a first person voice, er, first dog voice by the most steadfast, generous and loving character that Mark Twain ever created—Aileen Mavourneen! Yes, that is a dog’s name. Her mother learned it from a song.

Her father was a St. Bernard. Her mother, a collie. And even though Aileen discovered her mother’s tricks and knew that she was not above fabricating truth for the sake of a good laugh, Aileen Mavourneen learned all the important lessons from that fun-loving collie parent. She learned that she has a purpose in life—to always act “for the best good of others.”  And from her mother, she knew that, “to do well and right without reward would give to our brief lives a worthiness and dignity which in itself would be a reward.”

When she was sold and taken by new owners, Aileen Mavourneen summed it up by remembering her mother’s final bidding. “In memory of me, when there is a time of danger to another do not think of yourself, think of your mother, and do as she would do.”

Do you think that Aileen Mavourneen could forget those words! No.

Well, since we human animals generally outlive our pets, many a tale about our companions has a sad ending. “A Dog’s Tale” is no exception. But the master story-teller delivers his message on arrows of lightning to all our human hearts. Reading this tale came at just the proper moment for me. And now, I can never forget the love and labors of the adorable Aileen Mavourneen. Cushlamachree!

Sure, and don’t you think that almost every dog you’ve ever known behaves alike as well!

This entry is dedicated to Popper, our wee, elderly dachshund, and to Debra his best friend and mine! My wife, the golden spaniel, the true blue champion of dogs and cats and for all the pets and animals everywhere that are dealt a lot not becoming of their dignity!

And not incidentally—HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MY DARLING DEBRA!