Wolf

Wolf is a legendary dog who lived at Sunnybank Farm with his master Alfred Terhune. He loved his owner but he was not a friendly dog. He actually didn't like other people. And he didn't seem to like other dogs either. He hardly ever played with the other collies that lived with them on the farm. Even though he seemed not to like other dogs much he still felt like he had to take care of them. There was a big sign at the beginning of the farm's long, curving driveway that read: "GO SLOW! DOGS RUNNING FREE!" Still, cars and trucks often would come speeding up the driveway.

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Once a litter of pups chose the middle of the drive as their playground. So for hours at a time Wolf lay on the grass near by. Every time he heard a car turn in from the road he would get up and circle round the pups until they were in a tight bunch. Then he herded them off the drive. But Wolf couldn't watch the puppies all the time. One day they were playing in the driveway as usual. A delivery truck turned into the farm. It swept around the first curve and came racing toward the pups. Just then Wolf came out of a clump of trees across the lawn. He saw the danger the puppies were in. But he was too far away to get them out of the way. Wolf began to bark. Then he dashed a little way toward the dogs. Still barking, he swung around and raced toward the trees again. His bark seemed to be saying "Come on everyone! Chase me!" And one after another the puppies ran after Wolf -- right off the driveway and away from the truck. 

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As years passed Wolf continued to watch over dogs who couldn't take care of themselves. The rest of the time he would go his own way. One warm spring afternoon he took a walk to a nearby railroad track. Wolf knew about roads and cars. He also knew about railroad tracks and trains. He would always stop and look bother directions and listen before he would quickly cross to the other side. He did this then. He looked left and right and cocked his head. There was no train to be seen. But Wolf say down to wait anyway. He must have heard the sound of a whistle in the distance. 

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A little brown dog walked past Wolf. The dog didn't look. He just walked onto the tracks and sat down. Wolf sprang up. He barked in warning. The dog didn't move. The train swept into sight. Finally the little brown dog looked up but still didn't move. Wolf jumped and threw himself against the little dog. The dog flew through the air and landed in a nearby ditch. Wolf tried to leap into the ditch too. He almost made it but not quite. A piece of metal on the engine hit the side of his head. Wolf lay by the tracks. The dog who didn't even like other dogs very much would never move again. He had given his life to save a stranger.