Wild Animals I Have Known

Bingo fetched the cow—and took her straight home

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The familiar job

Bingo had learned a job on the Manitoba prairie: fetch the yellow cow. At the command, the dog would race out across the grass and drive Dunne home to her stable. He did it with much more energy than anyone needed.

Too often for Dunne

Soon Bingo was bringing her back without being told. Again and again, Dunne had to leave her grazing and run for the stable. She grew thin and gave less milk. The game was costing the cow too much, and Bingo was made to stop.

A different destination

At the autumn fair, Bingo was entered in a competition for trained collies. Dunne was taken onto the prairie outside the village. Her owner stood by the judge and gave the familiar command. This time, he meant: bring the cow here.

The route they knew

Dunne saw Bingo coming and headed for her own stable. Bingo raced behind her, hurrying her along. They passed out of sight across the prairie, heading for home two miles away. Neither of them turned back toward the judge.

The prize stayed behind

The prize went to the only other dog entered. Bingo had fetched the cow, just as he had learned to do. But the judge’s stand was not the stable, and the familiar words had sent dog and cow to the wrong destination.

Bingo fetched the cow—and took her straight home
By Adapted from Ernest Thompson Seton
Bingo had learned a job on the Manitoba prairie: fetch the yellow cow. At the command, the dog would race out across the grass and drive Dunne home to her stable. He did it with much more energy than anyone needed.
Soon Bingo was bringing her back without being told. Again and again, Dunne had to leave her grazing and run for the stable. She grew thin and gave less milk. The game was costing the cow too much, and Bingo was made to stop.
At the autumn fair, Bingo was entered in a competition for trained collies. Dunne was taken onto the prairie outside the village. Her owner stood by the judge and gave the familiar command. This time, he meant: bring the cow here.
Dunne saw Bingo coming and headed for her own stable. Bingo raced behind her, hurrying her along. They passed out of sight across the prairie, heading for home two miles away. Neither of them turned back toward the judge.
The prize went to the only other dog entered. Bingo had fetched the cow, just as he had learned to do. But the judge’s stand was not the stable, and the familiar words had sent dog and cow to the wrong destination.

Bingo fetched the cow—and took her straight home

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