[ Sporting Magazine ]
The Sporting Magazine (1792 - 1870) is considered the first general sporting magazine, though in its later decades it gave considerable emphasis to fox hunting. But it published all manner of sporting-related material, from news stories to poetry to calendars of upcoming sporting events. The magazine originally had the subtitle "Monthly Calendar of the Transactions of the Turf, the Chace, and every other Diversion interesting to the Man of Pleasure, Enterprize and Spirit." [more at Wikipedia]
The following item, from the January 1820 issue, was a letter to the editor:
Mr. Editor, I take this opportunity of informing you of a singular and very uncommon instance of the tameness of a hare. During this very inclement weather, a hare, compelled by the severity of the frost, was observed to come regularly every night, for shelter, into the kennel of a Newfoundland dog, stationed in the back part of the house belonging to C. Sims, Esq., Hubbard's Hall, Harlow, Essex; it continued so to do during eight successive nights, without interruption, when, unfortunately, on the ninth morning, the above-mentioned gentleman, going out with his pointers, puss was scented out, and notwithstanding every possible exertion to the contrary, she was torn in pieces. I cannot neglect to mention that the Newfoundland dog defended her to the utmost, having a serious engagement with one of the pointers; and ever since that time, the pointers and Newfoundland dog have been at a variance. — If you think this worthy of insertion, you will oblige yours, & W. STEELE. (201)