Welcome to the Dog of the Month section of the Gubbins of Coolana blog. We aim to give you an insight into the lives and personalities of our esteemed four-legged colleagues and friends. Without them life would be a lot harder, both physically and emotionally. Having them as part of our lives can be fraught, but the good times always outweigh the sad – it’s part of owning dogs.
Each month in 2016 we will bring you the latest on a team member of the Coolana Canines!
Ditto
Description: 14 year old Golden Retriever
Position: Anna’s right arm!
A heart-melting ball of golden fluff arrived at Coolana 14 years ago and immediately made her presence felt – she’d “been here before”. She has been a very independent woman from the word ‘Go’, and is the matriarch, in name only, of the farm dogs on the property – respected by all.
She loves farm life and can become VERY involved in all activities, from sheep work, swimming in the dams, digging, quality taste-testing of cattle ‘deposits’, and passing on her wisdom to the young cattle on her daily walks through their paddocks!
Ditto is just as happy on the back of a quad bike, or in the ute, as she is lying full length under the kitchen bench while everyone discusses the day’s events over a cool drink. She is careful who she talks to, and is the chief announcer of visitors to Coolana. She is also able to clear a room – very quickly – without even knowing why!
A keen babysitter of any children who have visited over the years, she is a gentle soul, who puts up with a lot – from both young humans and, of course, the young upstart canine arrivals, who try to push her about. Her calming influence is evident, especially with the young canines, who soon learn their place in the “barking” order.
Now in her dotage, Dit – as she is affectionately known – is a little more dependent on Anna and others. She needs a lift into the ute, and daily walks with the other dogs are now undertaken at a far more sedate pace. One has to wait to close the gate until Dit catches up. But even the cattle show her the respect she deserves – on those walks they can crowd around her and seem to commune together over their lot in life. She is never phased by a crowd of large black animals, and they in turn, understand that she has never been a threat to them – true mutual respect.
Please leave a comment or share your favourite farm dog story below – we’d love to hear from you.