A sailor befriended a little pup that was being abused at a dock in front of his ship.

He was criticized when he made a great deal of the poor, unkept, dirty, little whelp

He took the criticism cheerfully and said,   “When I was a kid the Scouts taught me to be kind to animals and do a good turn.” He shared his meals with the little pup at times when there was very little food for himself;  but he grew attached to the little fellow and they became wonderful companions.

As time passed, the pup grew up to a full-sized dog and a massive fellow. One day they were walking along a ridge in the timber, the master enjoying the beauty of nature and picking a few flowers, when he saw a very pretty lily in some rocks in the ledge. He stooped to pick the flower and the dog sprang, hitting him in the chest and driving him back. This was repeated three times, when the master became angry and struck at the dog. The dog at last, in desperation, pounced upon the flower and seized a huge rattlesnake and shook it until it was lifeless. The dog was bitten, but recovered by the splendid nursing of the master.