A silver medallion, presented by the Alliance Assurance Company to 'Zulu', a poodle whose barking drew attention to a house fire in Glasgow on Boxing Day 1897. Zulu's action reduced losses and made repairs easier. Having standing poodle with inscription and Multi Societate Tutiores verso, in mount on stand, filled base, 8cm, on wooden stand with presentation. On the 27th January 1898, Alliance Assurance received a letter from a Mr Montague Baird of Glasgow that detailed how his friends had spoken to him to tell him how he should raise the actions of his black poodle, Zulu with them. On Boxing Day 1897, there had been a fire at the Glasgow home of the Baird family. And the story as quoted by Mr Baird was that Zulu, the black poodle, had barked with tenacious sagacity (basically had continued barking till the owners woke up!) and alerted the household to the fire. This then led to it being extinguished promptly saving the family a huge amount of distress and inconvenience as well as obviously saving the Alliance Assurance, his insurer, increased claim costs. Mr Baird felt that Zulu deserved some form of recognition from Alliance in recognition of his brave actions the fire. Mr Baird states that his friend, who was a member of the Kennel Club, wanted to use the story in their national publication which would provide Alliance Assurance with an unusual advertisement. He then continued to suggest that he had given his servants something already so Alliance could transfer their amount to “purchase a collar or some such trifle.”!! He does state that it is a purely sentimental suggestion. Researching a little more into Montague Baird, although he is writing from 105 West George Street in Glasgow, he lived with his wife Kathleen and two sons, Joseph and Hugh, at 13 Park Circle Place. Mr Baird was a grain and malt merchant with his offices being based at his West George Street Address. He went on to become Chairman of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and a key supporter of the Glasgow Conservative Association hosting many events and their associated dignitaries at his home. By the 3rd February 1898, Alliance had presented Zulu with his very own solid silver medal of recognition as can be seen in the letter of thanks that Montague Baird then sent in response.