Friend Indeed

Pete Smith recounts the remarkable story of Sparky, a German shepherd trained to guide his blind master, a country doctor who lost his sight in a fire and must now rely on the dog to accompany him on his daily rounds. Sparky was the dog whose example led the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue a special ruling permitting guide dogs to travel first-class in Pullman cars with their blind partners rather than being relegated to the baggage car as ordinary animals. Smith also illustrates how Sparky traveled with his master to Washington, D.C., and helped persuade legislators to approve the change.