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Argos (16)
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![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 352 W: 27 N: 375]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif) (1668) | Once upon a time....
Argos was Odysseus' faithful dog.
He waited for his master's return to Ithaca for over twenty years while most people presumed that Odysseus was dead. He was the first to recognize the King returning from the Trojan War, even though Odysseus was disguised as a beggar to discover what was going on in his palace during his absence.
It was said that as soon as Argos recognized his master, he dropped his ears and did his best to wag his tail. Having fulfilled his destiny of faith by laying his eyes upon his master once more, he released a final whimper and died.
Excerpt from the Odyssey
"...As they were thus talking, a dog that had been lying asleep raised his head and pricked up his ears. This was Argos, whom Odysseus had bred before setting out for Troy, but he had never had any enjoyment from him. In the old days he used to be taken out by the young men when they went hunting wild goats, or deer, or hares, but now that his master was gone he was lying neglected on the heaps of mule and cow dung that lay in front of the stable doors till the men should come and draw it away to manure the great close; and he was full of fleas. As soon as he saw Odysseus standing there, he dropped his ears and wagged his tail, but he could not get close up to his master. When Odysseus saw the dog on the other side of the yard, dashed a tear from his eyes without Eumaeus seeing it..." |
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