T. E.'s relationship with Leo and Banner (the Smith's family dogs)
Pictured above is a photograph of T. E., Leo and Banner, the two golden retrievers that belonged to the Smith's family. Even though in this picture it seems like he doesn't know how to pet them, only poking, he was actually very fond of them, and they loved him right back.
"Although he shrank from human contact he often stroked the dogs and they loved sitting by his feet. . . . Banner was his favorite because he admired his dignity, but Leo was the most demonstratively affectionate and liked to be with him whenever possible."
He loved spoiling the dogs: everytime he'd visit the Smith's he would buy marshmallows and biscuits for them, and whilst having coffee after dinner he'd put sugar crystals on the floor, in a row, counting to make sure every dog had five crystals.
"They sat with ears cocked and watched him eagerly while the performance went on and then crunched up their rations with delight."
He often mentioned them in his letters to Sydney Clare Smith telling her to feed them sweets in his name when he wasn't able to stroll by on his motorcycle:
"Please give them a double ration of coffee sugar to-morrow night. They will have forgotten me before I come."
"Please regard me to S. and s. and give poor Leo two rations of coffee sugar. Tell him I shall see him next year—which is not so long."
After poor Banner got sick after their family-friend outing, he wrote Clare a letter which featured his condolences for his sickness and, later, death.
"The Adjutant told me this morning that poor Banner is very ill with poisoning. This is terrible. I like the poor beast so much, and he was so enjoying his holiday. What a shame to leave such stuff about. I hope he will get over it, without being damaged. [Sydney] says he is a little better to-day. I suppose it must have happened yesterday. Tell him I am so sorry."
"As for the poor dog, I had been hoping that he was better. So beautiful a thing should never die; and he was such an attractive and interesting character, too. I shall miss him very sadly at Mount Batten. You and his owner and the Wing-Commander must feel miserable about it. The un-necessity of the tragedy makes it so much worse."
Everything in this post was derived from Sydney Clare Smiths book "The Golden Reign", a book about her and T.E.'s friendship. I made this post because I found the information sweet and thought many more needed some Ned sweetness.
