A (4:43)

Creature which waddled up trail toward him.

B (4:45)

Nor would this peculiar little animal take the regard of the collie, who, first startled and then angry, blocked his way. Laddie backed up a few steps, but the strange little creature waddled toward him. Laddie's nose told him here was breakfast, and at once he dropped his amazement and leaped forward to catch his prey. Yes, Laddie joined the ranks of the thousands of hunting animals who had lost a short fight to a porcupine, for the little creature rolled suddenly into a ball and switching its quill heavy tail caught the startled dog full in the muzzle. For three days he did no more than lie beside a cold mountain stream, plunging his head into the water when the fever that raged through his body became unbearable. It was there that a forest ranger patrolling his area found him angry with the porky. Trying to find something to eat, huh? Well, reckon you can cut out that quill right enough and maybe we'll take you back to the Ranger station. I see somebody's looking for you. Quickly, the practiced hand sterilized a razor sharp hunting knife in flames. Though the pain was considerable, Laddie was patient. Yet hardly was the quill removed. When Laddie, his weakness forgotten, was up and away, his mind held only one thought, a tattered and torn old gardening glove of his beloved mistress buried in the soft earth under the pinyon tree. For two more days, Laddie lay in the foot deep needles under the pinyon tree while the swelling in his muzzle and the fever left him. The precious old gardening grout lay between his paws. On the morning of the third day, his seventh without food, lady raised his head for instinct told him that he must have food or death would overtake him. Though weak, he could at last move his jaws, and slowly he went down the game trail to stop suddenly at a high place where the trail looked down on the mountain stream. Laddie crouched and growled at the big brown bear, motionless on the stream bank below. One heavy foreleg dangling in the water, the dog watched. The powerful arm swept swiftly out of the stream and another freshing, wriggling fish landed on a small pile already lying in the grass. It was these fish that caught Laddie's eye. It sent him cautiously down the trail to the stream and toward the big bear who forgot his fishing to face the snarling dog. Strangely enough, the bear, gorged on berries, roots and fish, did what a well fed bear will sometimes do it and ambled off into the wood. For where there was a dog, there might be a man. Laddie, dropping the precious old glove nearby, quickly selected the largest fish in the pile and devoured it in a twinkling. For days Laddie traveled, his speed increasing as his strength returned. Occasionally a rabbit died in the quick fish snap of his jaws. Some days, no food at all came through. Then one night, tired beyond all further endurance, Laddie came out onto a jutting prominence to see far below him the twinkling lights of a city. His lady's city, his garden city, the city where the old tattered gardening glove in his mouth would once again enclose a dainty, caressing. Laddie was less than a mile from his long, poor garden and his beloved mistress when a small wire enclosed truck drew up at the curb and the big hoop nest was taken down. Jim Malone was a compassionate man, and when he finally cornered the tired dog in front of a large billboard, he tried to reassure him. Now take it easy, pup. Poor Jim won't hurt you. Easy there, fellows. Son, you really need some attention. Easy with the net. Easy, easy, Jim Malone hardly expected what happened when he came around to the rear of the wire enclosed truck to say to his quiet captive, now you're acting sensible, old dog. I'll have you in the pound kennel here and they'll pack your cuts for and then see what's to be done. Now easy, boy. I'll open the cage now. Now let me. Just like a brown blood bespattered battering ram, Laddie suddenly charged out of the truck, snarling like a wild animal, nearly bowling over Jim Malone. And using every ounce of his reserved strength, the collie sped down the street toward the billboard where he had dropped the old and torn gardening gloves. That night, long after darkness fell, Mary and John Doran sat before their fireplace reading. When a shadow came slowly up the front wall, John Doran, startled at the sound once so familiar, Huang opened the door and Laddie came in. Straight to the chair by the fireside he went. Where sat his beloved mistress. Into her lap he dropped the old ragged gardening rug. Then he sank, exhausted to the hot rug. For the first time in his life, Laddie failed to notice the gentle hands on his head. But no matter, Laddie withhold.

A (10:52)

Thank you, Lassie. And thank you, Marvin Miller. Friends, tomorrow we begin observance of National Dog Week. And today, in place of our regular presentation of the Red Heart Award for valor, our star will receive an honor. Yes, Captain Kanore, president of the National Dog Record Bureau and Los Angeles chairman of the National Dog Week is here to make Lassie honorary canine chairman of National Dog Week. But first words Marstar. Say, Lassie, you have the best of personal reasons to take an interest in observing this occasion. Right? Lassie's always in favor of a special consideration for dog. Not only this he but 52 weeks a year. How about that, Lassie? You know, one of the sanest ways you can show your dog how much you think of him is to see to it that he enjoys the food he eats and that it's food that's good for him. A short way of saying the same thing is Red Heart Free flavor Red Heart.

B (11:48)

And here's why.

A (11:49)

Your dog is sure to like Red Heart. Because it's made of wholesome meat and meat byproduct. Because it also contains other nourishing ingredients properly balanced to give him all the necessary food elements. Red Heart keeps your dog in top notch condition. And because Red Heart comes in three flavors, all dogs like beef, fish and cheese. Those flavors give him taste variety when fed in rotation. All three contain exactly the same basic ingredients. All three are Good and good for your dog. It's Lassie's favorite food, so feed the red heart wave starting now. And now, friends, may I present Captain Knorr, president of the National Dog Record Bureau and Los Angeles Chairman of National Dog Week, Captain Knorr. And Captain Knorr, may I present to you the star of our show, Lassie.

C (12:46)

How do you do, Lass?

A (12:48)

Well, now that our introductions are over, Captain Knorr, will you tell us something about national dog week?

C (12:54)

Well, Mr. Lyon, with approximately 20 million dogs in the United States and almost as many dog owners, there is much to be done in teaching proper appreciation for and the care of man's best friend. That is a job for which the National Dog Week organization has been dedicated since it was founded in 1928.

A (13:15)

That's very interesting, Captain Kenor. And what are these specific objectives of National Dog Week?

C (13:20)

There are eight specific objectives, including fair laws for dogs and dog owners, respect for the rights of non dog owners, and positive identification of all dogs with identical methods. And because the Lassie program has done so much to promote the objective week after week, it is my pleasure today to appoint Lassie Honorary National Canine Chairman of National Dog Week.

A (13:54)

Well, thank you, Captain Knorr, and congratulations, Lassie. Next week, Lassie plays the part of an Alaskan husky in the story of the far north entitled Crazy Laro. Lassie's guest will be Metro Goldwyn Mayer's beautiful young star, Miss Janet Please, so don't miss it. Lassie is presented each week at this same time John Farrell and company, makers of three flavor Red Heart, the taste tested food your dog will enjoy, the health tested food that will keep him in shape. Lassie appeared by arrangement with Metro Goldwyn Mayer, who invites you to see their production of Julia Misbehave, starring Greer Garson and Walter Pigeon. This program is produced in Hollywood by Frank Ferron, directed by Harry Stewart, story by Hobart Donovan. This is Travels line. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.