The most famous dog in America was Owney, the postal dog. He traveled
with the mail-bags from one end of the country to the other. He even
went to Alaska and across the Pacific Ocean.
Owney first joined the Post-office Department at Albany, N. Y., and he
always looked upon that office as headquarters where he must report
himself after a long trip.
When Owney was ready for a journey he did not ask any one to go with
him. He was quite able to take care of himself. He would follow the
mail-bag to the station and jump into the postal car. Having chosen the
particular mail-bag which he wished to follow, he would stretch himself
out upon it for a good nap. He had no further care, of course. When the
mail-bag was taken out, Owney went, too.
Owney was not a handsome dog, but he knew how to make friends. He was
welcome wherever he went, and he often came back to Albany cohered with
checks and medals to show how far he had traveled and in what esteem he
was held.
His intelligence was very wonderful. Many times a tired postal clerk who
had fallen asleep, forgetful of the stations, was wakened by Owney's
barking. The dog had a fine saver collar of which he was very proud. One
day a clerk had slipped it off to examine the medals which were hung on
it and in the hurry of extra work it was laid down and forgotten.
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