As I write this I’ve got the dogs running round the house like crazy, so I thought I would devote an entry to our two wonderful pets before Christmas. Bonnie and I love our dogs: she has an American Staffy and I have an American Staffy crossed with an Aussie Bulldog. And yes he does have an interesting look.

They’re four and five years old respectively. Bonnie’s is a bitch and mine is a dog. They are besties and had Bonnie not had mine neutered while I was away on a Kangaroo Tour they may well have been lovers. I was keen to get some puppies out of mine but it wasn’t to be. I feel sorry for the poor guy!

Growing up on a farm I have always had animals, but I do have a softer spot for dogs than I do other animals and I always had my favourites.

My first dogs were a bitzer/cattle dog who was a champion and would follow you everywhere and an Old English Sheepdog, named Mrs. Chatham (because we were given her by our neighbours the Chathams - very original of us). Her hair was never really brushed and it got really matted at times.

But my favourite dog was a German Shepherd cross Blue Heeler named Hooch, who unfortunately had to be put down by my dad and Ian (I couldn’t do it) because he bit a lady on the face.

His big thing was he would love you to come into the yard but he wouldn’t let you leave and this one day he got a bit overzealous about the whole thing and attacked. We felt bad, but I remember not wanting him to be put down. I still don’t know how Ian got the courage to shoot him.

For more info on dogs and what breeds might be good for you visit this site http://community.trading-post.com.au/pets/

This ended up being a bit more of a chat about all my dogs and not much else. Training is going well and I’m looking forward to a big year in ‘08.

Thanks for all the support this year.

Hindy 

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