I dedicate this section to this remarkable team of (early) retired working dogs (cattle dogs) whose stories of courage, death-defying injuries, intelligence and bravery deserve nothing less than my never-ending-love, and admiration. It is also dedicated to "Wolf" who died on the job and well before his time - he was, the dog a man waits a lifetime for.................
Update: 16 Dec 2012. Mother Jana has passed away due an unexpected heart attack. We are all in mourning - our beautiful brave girl. Our Team of 5 is now 3, (Fred, Larry, Jack)
Most of my blog friends also know that due to a huge change in my domestic situation there has been a move for me and I am no long part of the larger team.
May they continue to receive the retirement they so richly deserve.
May their stories never be forgotten........in my heart forever.
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| L - R: Mother Jana, Alpha male 'Fred', Larry, Jack |
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| Movie star "Larry" (shy and gentle boy) (d.o.b. April 2004) |
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| Larrikin "Jack" (forever the kid, rough and tumble) (d.o.b. July 2006) |
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| Mother Jana (a legend in her own time) (d.o.b. Jan 2000) |
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| Big Fred, the alpha male, deep, loyal, brave. (d.o.b. Aug 2003) |
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| A 5 minute job this day that wasn't even a challenge (Tasmanian farm) |
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| Holidaying on the NSW Stock route |
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| Fred, with the big hay bales (Tasmanian farm) |
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| Fred on a big job this day, it was long and arduous (Tasmanian farm) |
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| The Team in retirement (Upper Hunter valley retirement hobby block) |
R.I.P. beautiful "Wolf-man" -
spirit of the bush
(April 2004 - 13 May 2005)
Champ of Champions
MOST RECENT PHOTOS OF THE TEAM: (end of 2012)
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| Mother Jana, so wise and deep |
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| Even big Alpha male Fred loves his ball |
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| L-R: Fred and Jack share a reflective moment |
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| Larry deep in thought or, just woken up!? |
STAY TUNED for further updates
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What a good looking bunch of kids! I especially like Jack, he looks like trouble! lol
ReplyDeleteHe is! big time trouble - but totally lovable. They are a retired team of working dogs (they will work sheep) but they are hard cattle dogs. When they were in their prime two years ago and we were still on the largish farm in Tasmania, I have no hesitation in saying they would have been up there with the best teams in the country. We intensively farmed and the dogs were fit and hard and work 365 days of the year with most days shifting 600 head of cattle. (Not in one mob, in seperate groups)They are coping pretty well with retirement when all is said and done. Thi is one of the main reasons I live in the country - for the dogs!! When I have my photos sorted again, I'll repost some of the Tas ones in a new tab. I'm sure you'll like them. Cheers Rose
ReplyDeleteThese are really fine looking dogs - do you breed? Jon
ReplyDeleteLove the photos --love the dogs--much more than cool--looks like Larry is smiling!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim, just CANNOT believe you said that about Larry, - his nickname is "Smiley" because I swear he literally smiles when the camera comes out.
ReplyDeleteJON: Sorry for my tardy reply - No we no longer breed. We only ever bred for our own requirements and Jana is too old now. These dogs do OK in retirement because we know what they need by way of stimulation and exercise to keep them happy. I've had people want a pup for a family pet just because they are such beautiful dogs to look at. They are 'working dogs' it's in their breeding, they are no family pet. Cheers, Rose
ReplyDeleteWhat beauties!
ReplyDeleteI have had the pleasure of knowing a few Aussie shepherds, and having transported one for an adopter...the sweetest dogs!
And, oh...my Marly girl...a cream kelpie. She was my dream dog, my heart dog...she was a great help with the poodle boyz.
June, Love Kelpies they are a tremendous worker, and friend. They didn't cope well in Tasmania as working dogs as they just couldn't cope with the intense cold and biting winds.(which was most of the darned time down there!) The weather could actually render them shivering wrecks unable to even move. This current team of ours isn't suited to where we are now. they love the winter, as it gets quite cold here but they could suffer in summer terribly if we didn't keep an eagle eye on their activities at certain times. Suffice to say they have grown to adore refrigerated air-conditioning!! Whatever happened to your beloved Marly? A natural demise I hope. It's none the less painful though :(
ReplyDeleteHello Team. They're gorgeous, and very young! Though you said early retirement, I had visions of greyish muzzles. Coming straight from your latest post about the road trip, I can only see white fluff lol.
ReplyDeleteAh hello Georgia! From one dog person to another, you noted my wry humour!!
DeleteYour dogs are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks FB's Mum, we love them to pieces, they can do no wrong and we owe them so much. Jana literally saved the bosses life on more than one occasion.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful team you have Rose, I look forward to seeing more photos, just love the memes you put on them.
ReplyDeleteThank so much Linley, one day I would love to do a short story/post on each of them as they each have quite an amazing story to tell.
DeleteWhat gorgeous dogs, and each so clearly, from your photos, with his or her own personality. Living in the city as I do, I am so impressed with these hard-working farm dogs! Truth is, my city dog would have loved to have a job to do!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have quite the crew there! My children and I love seeing photos from other countries and yours are great!
ReplyDeleteYour dogs are beautiful, Rose! I love all the names and descriptions. They really look like one big happy family. Woof! The farm is lovely.
ReplyDelete