The grave of Lad.
From Lad: A Dog,
by Albert Payson Terhune, copyright 1919, 1926, 1947, 1959, by E.P. Dutton & Co.:
"We buried Lad in a sunlit nook that had been
his favorite lounging place, close to the house he had guarded so long and
gallantly. With him we buried his honorary Red Cross and Blue Cross -- awards for
money raised in his name. Above his head we set a low granite block, with a carven line or two
thereon.
"The Mistress wanted the block inscribed: 'The
Dearest Dog!' I suggested: 'The Dog God Made.' But we decided against both
epitaphs. We did not care to risk making our dear old friend's memory
ridiculous by words at which saner folk might one day sneer. So on the granite
is engraved:
LAD
Thoroughbred in Body and Soul
"Some people are wise enough to know that
a dog has no soul. These will find ample theme for mirth in our foolish
inscription. But no one who knew Lad will laugh at it."
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