October 6th Marks the Day George Washington Returned A Lost Dog—and Became A Manners Model for A New Nation

On October 6, 1777 George Washington found a lost dog belonging to his British adversary and did the right thing by returning the pup with a polite note. On this anniversary of that mannerly event, the author of the new book, "General Howe's Dog: George Washington, the Battle of Germantown and the Dog Who Crossed Enemy Lines," wishes that more people today would take their cue from Washington's impeccable behavior.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) September 28, 2005

As author Caroline Tiger describes in her new book, George Washington, the Battle of Germantown and the Dog Who Crossed Enemy Lines (Chamberlain Bros./Penguin Group USA), Washington did the proper thing by his adversary, even two days after losing to him in a bloody battle.

“The dog fell between the lines of the rules of war, which said that soldiers can be taken prisoner, but that a soldier’s personal property should be returned,” says Tiger. “Washington could have made the argument that the dog was a British foot-soldier.” Instead, he cleaned the dog, brushed his fur, and sent him back to his owner with a uniformed escort and a handwritten note.

As Tiger writes in her book, we can learn plenty about manners from Washington and the 16th-century etiquette manual he followed closely throughout his life:

• “Tell not your dreams but to your intimate friend,” states the manual—a useful rule for today’s citizens, especially for those coworkers and acquaintances who fall into the TMI (too-much-information) category.

• “Be not immodest in urging your friends to discover a secret,” says another of the rules. Unless you’re employed as an investigator, prying into private lives is a no-no. (What would Washington have thought of today’s tabloids?)

• “When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usually discovered.” This rule speaks for itself: If you must, please excuse yourself and find a bathroom.

Tiger wishes that more people today would follow Washington’s example. “Today it seems many don’t even bother with the bare minimum,” she says. “But even with his greatest adversary, Washington went above and beyond.”

The author lectured in September at the Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City and has several upcoming events, including a book-signing at the reenactment of the Battle of Germantown on October 1st; and lectures at the American Revolution Roundtable of Philadelphia on October 26th, and at the George Washington Symposium at Mount Vernon in early November. To book Tiger for an interview or speaking engagement, please contact Molly Brouillette at 212-366-2803.

About the Author

Caroline Tiger is a contributing writer for Philadelphia magazine. Her journalism has appeared in publications including Self, Good Housekeeping, Men’s Health, Salon, and the Washington Post. She’s also the author of How To Behave: A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially Challenged. Tiger is online at http://www.carolinetiger.com.

CONTACT:    

Molly Brouillette

phone: 212-366-2803

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