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Quelques chiens célèbres
Extraits... Barry I It was at the time that the travels across the
Pass were as numerous as ever that the famous Barry lived. His birth almost
coincided with the passage through the Pass of Bonaparte's armies. In an article
published in "Alpenrosen" in 1816, Meissner writes: `During 12 years,
Barry worked faithfully doing his work towards the unfortunates. He saved more
than forty people all by himself. His zeal was extraordinary. It was never
necessary to urge him to do his work. Whenever he smelled someone was in danger,
he ran to his rescue; if he couldn't do anything, he went back to the convent
and asked for help by his attitude and by barking. Barry was immensely famous.
His history was known all over the world and surrounded by legends. So for
example he was supposed to have met once a little boy, that he licked him to
wake him up, even that he incited him by some clever gestures to climb on his
back so he could take him to the Hospice or at least that the child hold on to
him which is not impossible. As a matter of fact a painting made in 1822 already
represents this fact. "Finally, continues Meissner, when Barry was old and
at the end of his strength, the Prior of the Hospice, in 1812, sent him to Bern
by the intermediary of a servant. Surrounded by loving care he died in 1814.
Next year, he was exhibited in historical Museum". To honour his memory,
the most beautiful male of the Kennel of the Hospice is always called Barry. Barry Il It's just a century ago that the famous Barry
was born when another dog just as remarkable made people talk about him. He was
called Barry 11. Gifted with unusual strength and courage, of enormous size, he
never left the head of the column. However deep the fresh snow. it was always he
who attacked the snow first. For help in the mountain during the winter, he was
extraordinary. With the chain attached to his collar he helped many persons to
reach the Hospice, even, once, his own "maronnier" who was exhausted.
Alas his end was tragic. On May 20th 1905 he ran in the direction of the lake
that was still frozen and covered with a thin layer of snow. The ice gave way
and the lake swallowed the dog. They didn't find him until two days later. The
newspapers announced that Barry died as a hero. Several museums asked
immediately for his body, but the stuffing proved impossible as the dog had
stayed too long in the water. Barry III Another dog deserves a special mention: Barry 111. Brave dog, very intelligent and of great gentleness, good as domestic pet, engaging, he had all of these characteristics of his breed in the highest grade. Besides he was a valuable reproducer and left a good many magnificent descendants. He too was trained to go out to meet the travellers. He was a safe guide and thanks to his smell he found and saved several persons. He died in September 1910, victim of his devotion. He was accompanying a monk who was going to meet a traveller. on a steep path, he slipped on the ice and fell down in the ravine. His fall was so sudden that the monk didn't even notice it. Barry was found next day, lifeless and his body, stuffed, is exhibited nowadays at the Hospice. To pay tribute to the Saint~Bernard dogs, symbol of devotion, a monument has been erected in their honour at the dog's cemetery at Asnières.
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