SECRETS OF A WORKING DOG I was on the verandah with a cup of steaming tea. when my little border collie came and sat down next to me. Anushka pushed her black wet nose closely against my ear whispered, “Mum I’ve some secrets that perhaps you’d like to hear” I thought Id come and say hello..Ive had a busy day. We mustered the back paddock Mum so had no time to play. Young Red he was no help at all but then he never is. He doesnt really have a clue...he just gets in a tizz. That stroppy wether had a go at me again today. You would be proud I kept my cool and sent him on his way, but if I spot him in the yard Ill put him up the race and nip his heels so hell remember - dont get in her face. The creek is pretty dry now Mum theres not much water left. I had a quick swim in the rock pool underneath the cleft. Those feral goats were down there too, also a mob of roos, and two pigs in the pig trap…so you know what Dad will do We found a dead ewe near the gate looks like she died last night - the ground around her all scuffed up she put up quite a fight. I think it was a big pig for I smelt no dingoes spore. were taking up a pig trap after lunch. Best to be sure. I pinched an egg this morning Mum it was just on the ground. I think Priscilla laid it somewhere it would not be found by you, but I smelt it out and could not resist the taste and if I hadnt eaten it , it would have gone to waste. Are you coming up after lunch with us to feed the sheep? The molasses drums are loaded and lick blocks in a heap ready to go, theyve dried out now, that last batch that you made. Well put them near the sheep camp, underneath the Ironbarks shade. The hammer mill has finished grinding sugar cane and corn. Our sheep porridge can go out at tomorrow’s early dawn. Dry feed can go into the tubs, topped with molasses mix. Should keep those old ewes going and give them a sugar fix. My paw hurts Mum please check it for I think Ive got a burr. Right there, oh yes that’s better, theres another in my fur. Bindi and grass seeds very thick, stuck all around ewes ears VM count will be pretty high in our fleeces this year. Did you cook up some roo for tea? I really fancy that with vegies and some pasta, there’s no chance that Ill get fat, though Red he doesnt work as hard or run as far as me hes a pretty useless sheepdog, but we still love him, dont we? Oh well Ive got to go now, I just heard the Boss whistle hes taking up the spray rig, to poison off that thistle that’s growing with nagurra burr and bindi on the hill as well as in the gully where weve got the Lucas mill.” So with a lick and wagging tail she bounded to the ground and hell for leather raced away towards the roaring sound of one Ute with the spray rig fully loaded on the tray. Shes a working dog my little girl … busy every day. Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 09:28:02 +0000
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