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PIX #1 - James Herriott, author of "Dog Stories", photographed in Scotland, with Bodie and Polly, two of his dogs. The sitting dog looks very much like our Tippy.

PIX #2 - Tippy, the dog the Krupps have had for more than 10 years, photo- graphed recently with Potluck author.

PIX #3 - Rags, the Krupp family's first Scottie dog; the grandmother of Joan Crawford's Scottie.

Recently, I read a condensed article in Reader's Digest about James Herriot's latest book about dogs. Entranced with the resume, I asked permission to in- clude something in this column, believing that many dog fanciers and owners would like to get the author's latest book, and compare notes about their pets with Herriot's tales.

Perhaps the most beloved storyteller of all time, James Herriot has delighted readers the world over with his heart-warming and unforgettable memories of life as a country veterinarian in England's Yorkshire. His previous best- sellers, "All Creatures Great and Small," "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "All Things Wise and Wonderful," and "The Lord God Made Them All," have en- deared him to a generation of faithful readers and, with the recent publica- tion of "Moses the Kitten," and "Only one Woof," he has found a new audience eager to read his most recent book.

St. Martin's Press recently announced the publication of James Herriot's "Dog Stories", a collection of 50 tales of the animal he has come to love best-- the dog.

BOOK WRITTEN BY VETERINARIAN AND DOG LOVER

As Herriot explains in the book's introduction, "I started with the intention of explaining how a cow doctor came to bring out a book of dog stories, but it reads rather like the many letters which come to me from my readers all over the world. They tell me about their dogs, about their funny ways, the things they do which bring joy into their homes. They tell me, too, about their troubles and sorrows, in fact, about the whole range of experiences which go into the keeping of a dog. Perhaps this is a good way of replying to them all. Because these are the things which happened to me."

Featuring both a new introduction by James Herriot and his own accompanying notes to each story, and beautifully illustrated by Victor Ambrus, this tribute by the master storyteller to man's best friend will be read, reread, and treasured for many years to come.

It is a volume no Herriot fan (or dog owner) will want to be without, and priced at only $19.95.

THE DOGS IN THE KRUPP FAMILY

While I am introducing the fascinating book by Herriot, I'll include a few paragraphs about the dogs the Krupp family have owned.

In the earlier years of our household we had a number of dogs...starting with Scotties. The first one of that breed we owned, named Rags, was the grand- mother of movie star Joan Crawford's Scottie.

Rags was very intelligent. When our first youngster Nathan arrived, and he had grown sufficiently to be put on a blanket in the backyard, we instructed Rags to watch over him, and if Nathan attempted to crawl off the blanket, Rags pulled him back.

Rags had a terrible death. One day, as custom, she followed my wife to the grocery. Snooping behind the counter, she picked up meat which had been treated with strychnine, to kill rats. There was no treatment to save her.

I recall scolding Rags for some reason during the early days we acquired her. It hurt her feelings so badly she would pay no attention to me for days until I had showered her with sweettalk and much attention.

Haven fallen in love with Scotties, we had two more, later.

ONE OF OUR DOGS WITHOUT GOOD MANNERS

Sometime later, a farmer who owned a large full-grown collie was looking for a home for it. Our adoption of it lasted very briefly. It's manners were not to our liking. Preparing supper one day, my wife had put steak in a skillet on the stove. The collie, apparently without any regrets, stood on its hind legs, reached and took the meat from the skillet and devoured it. Very soon thereafter we found a new home for that dog.

Another canine member of our family which both Nathan and his brother, David, enjoyed very much was of unknown pedigree, named Pal. I don't recall how we came to own him.

At that time, Nathan was working part time and often worked at the Kroger store before school in the morning. When he left home on his bike, Pal always accompanied him and then returned home by himself...that is sometimes. Pal got to be a traveler all about town.

One day when the neighborhood kids were playing ball on the street, Paul was one of the participants. Chasing the ball, Paul was struck by a police car and died almost immediately. The relationship between Pal and the boys was very close and many tears were shed.

TIPPY HAS BEEN WITH US FOR TEN YEARS

The current canine member of the family is Tippy. It is believed her heritage is beagle and collie. One of a large litter born on our daughter's farm, she was disposing of the puppies because she already had enough dogs. Our grand- daughter picked out one of the litter, but her Mom said "No". So, we were conned into keeping the puppy at our home...but it would be "her own dog." That was more than ten years ago, and we still have Tippy. The granddaughter is an adult now, but when she visits us, Tippy still knows her.

Tippy is a very smart dog. Her sleeping area is a twin bed next to David. How that came to happen...initially her sleeping quarter was on the first floor, but Tippy was very afraid of thunder storms. During a severe storm she was taken to David's room for safe refuge. That was it...from then on, only the twin bed satisfied her.

When morning arrives, she awakens before David, and coming to my bedroom, puts her feet on the side of the bed and coaxing with a whine and pleading, she gets her morning stroll...followed by breakfast.

Tippy is a wonderful watch-dog...nothing escapes her hearing. She is also an excellent traveler in the car, and has always been admitted at all motel stops.

She was never taught to sit up and beg for food...she did it instinctively. At the words "pretty girl" she also sits up.

Animals of all kinds became part of creation "in the beginning"...by God. And since then, certain of the species have become more popular as pets of man. It would appear that dogs and cats have achieved "first place" in the family.

I'd bet that James Herriot's "Dog Stories" will be a very popular book. If you cannot get it at your bookstore, write to St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y., 10010.

READER FEEDBACK

READER FEEDBACK ABOUT E. SMITH BANDMASTER

Several readers had inquired about one-time director of the F.H.S. Band, one of the inquiries being Don Kinnaman, former Fostoria resident, who played under him.

Kinnaman finally contacted Smith's last employer, Qua Buick Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, and got the following reply:

Dear Mr. Kinnaman: I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Earl died late last fall (1985). His wife had predeceased him several years ago. He con- tinued to live in Cleveland until maybe 3 or 4 years ago when he went to live at the Weinbrenner Nursing Home, Findlay, Ohio. His sister is still alive and I apologize that I cannot remember her name. Earl was a wonderful person who started working for us in 1950 and retired in the mid 70's. They had no children but he left a host of friends. (Signed Geo. F. Qua.)

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PIX #1 - Independence Hall, Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

PIX #2 - The Signers of the Declaration of Independence

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Today's article is the second in a series "The Rebirth of America". As explained earlier, the series consists of parts of the book published by The Arthur De Moss Foundation, used in the column by permission. Anyone wishing to receive a free copy of the book needs only call this toll free number 1-800-247-4700. Be assured that the publishers are philantrhipic Christians and you will be under no obligation in requesting it.

BY: DERRIC JOHNSON - COPYRIGHT 1973 BY DERRIC JOHNSON PRESS

"On July 4, 1776, there was signed in the City of Philadelphia one of America's historic documents: The Declaration of Independence. It marked the birth of this nation which, under God, was destined for world leadership".

"We often forget that in declaring independence from an earthly power, our forefathers made a forthright declaration of independence upon Almighty God. The closing words of this document solemnly declare: "With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our scred honor".

"The fifty-six courageous men who signed that document understood that this was not just high-sounding rhetoric. They knew that if they succeeded, the best they could expect would be years of hardship in a struggling new nation. If they lost, they would face a hangman's noose as traitors."

FEW OF SIGNERS SIRVIVED VERY LONG

"Of the fifty-six, few werelong to survive. Five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes, from Rhode Island to Charleston, sacked, looted, occupied by the enemy, or burned. Two lost their sons in the army. One had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty- six died in the war, from its hardships or from its bullets."

"Whatever ideas you have of the men who met that hot summer in Philadelphia, it is important that we remember certain facts about the men who made this pledge: they were not poor men, or wild-eyed pirates. They were men of means; rich men, most of them, who enjoyed much ease and luxury in their personal lives. Not hungry men, but prosperous men, wealthy landowners, substantially secure in their prosperity, and respected in their communities".

"But they considered liberty much more important than the security they enjoyed, and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their honor. They fulfilled their pledge. They paid the price. And Freedom was won".

"Yet freedon is never free. It is always purchased at great cost".

"Little did John Adams know how signigicant his words would be when he spoke to his wife, Abigail, on the passing of the Declaration of Independence and said, "I am well aware of the toil and blood, and treasure that it will cost to maintain this declaration and support and defend these states; yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means".

WHERE WOULD WE BE HAD THEY NOT ACTED?

"To those who sacrificed for our freeson, the end was worth the painful means. Where would be, who are citizens of the United States of America, be today if there and not been those who counted the cost of freedom and willingly pay for it? Where will we be tomorrow if men and women of integrity do not come forward today and pay the price to reclaim a dying America?"

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Pix #1 - The Smiths photographed in front of the Nazarine Church at Kankakee Ill., where Rev. Smith pastored from 1948-1956

Pix #2 - Rev. Sylvester Smith and wife Leah, the author of "Mind, Matter and Old Lace", photographed in 1985

Pix #3 - The Smiths in front of the Roseland Church of the Nazarine in Chicago in 1939.

"Mind, Matter and Old Lace", the book's title is rather catchy, but it doesn't really do justice to the excellent content: the reminiscing the author did over many years about her life...growing up mainly in rural areas, but finally becoming the wife of a preacher, with pastorates in many places.

At one period in her life, and that of her husband, the Smith resided in Fostoria, and he was the pastor at The Nazarine Church, during its formative years.

Readers who like tales about the outdoors, rural schools, the way of life in near poverty, how people with grit and gumption overcame the worst of odds, horse and buggy days, living off the land, but finally achieving with college education...you will enjoy her book.

GOD NEVERED FAILED TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES

The best of all in the book's content is that in all of the difficult situations that Mrs. Smith and her family encountered, they always took their problems to God, and he never failed them.

During the author's reminisching, she recalled the time they spent in Fostoria, when her husband was pastor of The Nazarine, and not getting much salary back then. Here's a couple quotes about that period.

"Lance Marshall (a member of the church) was washing down his bathroom wall one day and thanking God for his nice home, then God spoke to him... Pastor Smith has no furniture. He got down from his ladder, wiped his hands and started writing names God was giving him. The plan God gave him was for 12 men, not members of our church, to give a dollar a month for 12 months toward furniture. He wrote the 12 names, two of whom he didn't know. As he talked with the men he knew, they liked the idea, and one man on the list knew the other two. They all agreed..."

$12.50 SALARY PER WEEK NOT MUCH TO BUY FURNITURE

"When my husband was told about their plan, thankfulness filled our hearts. As my husband Sylvester talked to the manager of the furniture store, he asked about our salary; it was then $12.50 a week. But you can't pay for furniture with income no more than that", the manager said.

Well it's not quite that way, Sylvester said. As he explained the plan, it was easy to see the furniture man was impressed.

I have a young couple who want to move out of state and they owe some on their furniture. I have told them if they stay, they can keep what they have and pay as they are able. But if they moved out of state, they will have to return the furniture. They are to tell me Thursday. Come in then and we'll see.

When the time came, we went to the store. Good news for us! The couple had turned in six rooms of furniture. The manager told us if we wanted it, we could have it for a hundred dollars. That would leave us some for buying curtains and other things. How good God is!.

PASTOR'S SON HAS WAY OF INCREASING PLEDGES

A humorous, yet serious item in the book, as told by Mrs. Smith..."Paul (our son) was quite a favorite with the people of the church at Fostoria; but none liked him more than George Fisher, or "Shanks" as he was called. Whenever Pastor Sylvester would be taking pledges for offerings, Paul would raise his hand just because his daddy was asking for hands. Then "Shanks" would say, "I'll pay it regardless of the amount Paul raised his hand for".

I gladly admit that once reading of the book began, it was not easy to lay it aside. I highly recommend it.

After Mrs. Smith finished manuscript she could not find a publisher to produce it, so she sent it to the First Church of The Nazarine, Nashville, Tenn., where her husband now live in retirement. Her instructions were to place it in the church library.

Then, the editor of the church's publication, The Nazarine Weekly, started to run the manuscript in serial form. A reader read it and found a publisher to produce the book.

Mrs. Smith has also written and had published several books of poems. After one book was published she was listed in Who's Who of American Women.

At the time the Smiths were residing in Fostoria, her brother, Al and wife Nona, moved to Fostoria. Al became an employee of The Fostoria Pressed Steel. Al since retired, and they are residing at 2909 Roma Court, Punta Gorde, FL 33950.

For a price of $4 postpaid, readers can get "Mind, Matter and Old Lace" by writing to: Leah Whitecanack Smith, 60 Lester Ave. Apt. 509, Nashville, Tenn. 37210.

FORMER FOSTORIAN REPORTS WEATHER IN UNUSUAL WAY

John Switzer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil switzer, deceased former Fostorians, is the daily weather reporter for the Columbus Dispatch...but he does it in an unusual way. that information came to me from former Fostorian Dorothy (Smith) Gardner, a resident in Columbus for many years. She is the sister of deceased Pat Smith and Mike Smith, residing in Lima. With the letter from Gardner was clippings of Switzer's column.

Gardner reported that everyone she knows in Columbus like Switzer's style, which in addition to the actual report on the weather, includes some phase of the season, or activities which prevail at the moment because of the season: Indian Summer; the normal heating problems, apple season, etc.

In one column, John reported, the headline on his column was: Fostoria's Excitement Outdoes Weather"...and then went on to comment on the image of Jesus which appeared on the storage tank in Fostoria.

John's father "Poody" as he was always know, was editor of The Fostoria Daily Review many years ago.