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Nobody could claim we encouraged the dog - not at first anyway. Having alighted from the train we set off in the heavy rain to look for the showground. The night was pitch black, we were drawn into our ground-sheets like snails before a pinch of salt and the dog did not possess a single white hair. However, as we began poking around in a partially built sawmill looking for shelter our suspicions that we were being shadowed were confirmed. We did not actually see the animal but vaguely referred to it as “he” and feared for our food,

Nevertheless in the morning light everything appeared intact until we found only the top of the pineapple remaining but, until further evidence was forthcoming, it was considered that the cows were the likelier culprits. The dog was so thin that it might have been forced to “go vegetarian” though what its breed was the combined knowledge of the three of us could not determine. Some cattle we think but it was smaller than the usual cattle and the light proved “him” to be a “her” though such is the power of preconceived notions over the mind that we were never able to assign the dog the right sex during the succeeding days except after correcting ourselves.

We moved for breakfast to the showground - the dog followed. Here, all ye hard-hearted, ye strong-minded, ye logicians rejoice but ye shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven - we gave that dog the remainder of the steak.

Of course the dog now showed marked attention in keeping up with us but as it was collarless and apparently ownerless we did not begin to worry until just before lunch when we suddenly realised that the position was acute as we could not feed the animal and we could not induce it to leave us. I concocted a plan entailing returning the animal to Nerang by a car or lorry going the other way but unfortunate1y for my plan there were no such vehicles.

The dog was now a major problem in our life and the subject of much spirited argumentation so, a name seeming desirable, we christened her “Nerang” after the town from which she hailed. The rain continued to fall providing an adequate though prolonged christening, but it also worked for Nerang's benefit for we were unable to cook the sausages and, fearing for their wholesomeness if kept much longer, she received her share. She also received some cake which theoretically should have been eaten before this and which I thought a good enough excuse for feeding to the addition of our party. As at breakfast and ever after, Nerang proved the case for heredity over environment by taking no interest in our food or attempting to beg; she merely lay down and slept and gratefully accepted what was given her.

When we arrived at Binna Burra our real worries began. The guests in an excess of sympathy all remarked on the thinness of “our” dog and with words of pity produced numerous morsels from the kitchen. Nerang ate them but refused to leave us and kept coming into the dining room whenever the door was left open. But did she obstruct or annoy the guests? No! she dropped at our feet and slept until we attempted to move. Uncertain of the welcome dog would receive at Binna Burra we repeatedly denied ownership in wards not harsh but indifferent. Now my conscience will let me think only with shame of those efforts at denial.

We were housed in a tiny attic reached by a ladder in which it was obviously impossible to have a dog yet Nerang commenced to howl down below. We breathed a few soothing words and, as though satisfied with our presence ten feet above, she curled up under a seat beside the wall and didn't move all night. We had hopes of leaving her at Binna Burra - just one more among the tribe of animals - but she proved unique so our temporary ownership and guilt were patent.

All day she trodded along in the rain and here we discovered another trait in her character. She always kept at the heels of the leading member of the party except when we became a little separated when she would chase around keeping a watchful eye until we were close again - the cattle dog instinct for keeping the herd together, I suppose. It was still waste of time attempting to light a fire at lunch-time so more sausages were doled out to Nerang who was probably being better fed than ever in her life before. Just as we, Nerang caught her quota of leeches Head occasionIlly had to be de-leeched, a process to which she submitted with extreme docility, with as much apparent understanding as a human being and with much less squealing than some.

Further problems arose at O'Reilly's. Here the guests were divided into two schools - those primarily worried that the other dogs would harm Nerang and those concerned that his (sorry, her) howling might disturb their sleep. For, after having been well fed, she seized every opportunity of slipping into the dining-room and lying at our feet and, upon being ejected, cried quietly. We could have easily solved the problem by having Nerang sleep outside the door of our hut but, alas, in the yard were numerous small ducks at large.

A keen debate followed and the guests arguments were so distressing that we decided to risk Nerang in the bedroom. So, dragging a mat as far from my bed as possible, I put Nerang on it and before you could say “Jack Robinson” she was sleeping; in the morning she was still slumbering in the same spot and I verily believe that she had not moved all night.

The breakfast we acquired from O'Reilly's for Nerang was so immense that she refused to finish it but Kay (the dominating male!) stood over her and insisted adding such fatherly remarks as “you might be glad of it before the day is over.”

This morning Nerang had a narrow escape from a snake which I had seen and avoided. She was at my heels but when I jumped aside she stopped within inches of the snake's fangs quite unaware of the danger. I frantically coaxed her away. She joined in our next snake hunt with more fun than appreciation of danger for when our six foot black friend was surrounded he was quite vicious.

The next great event in Nerang's life was swimming the swollen Canungra River. We left her to manage by herself and twice she tried but was unable to make any headway against the current. This would have been a good opportunity to have got rid of her but I think she would have crossed eventually somehow; in any case we did not feel inclined to leave her out in the houseless countryside having now determined to take her to the township of Canungra. So on this and subsequent occasions we forded the river linked together, the centre one carrying Nerang.

Whenever we met anyone we expatiated on Nerang's qualities and endeavoured to induce the hearer to accept her but our salesmanship must have been lacking for at Canungra Station we and the dog were still inseparable. Had one of us a home in Brisbane I am sure Nerang would have been added to the household; as it was we had to face the obvious conclusion that, while we boarded the train, Nerang would have to remain. I had a scheme for distracting her attention at the last moment with some sausages but the town possessed no such luxuries. Instead, as the train ran through the fields Nerang ran after it until even her training of sixty six miles in three days was of no avail.


What I've Heard!

The Easter holidays brought the Bushwalkers out in crowds, but it is doubtful if the bush feels any better for the holiday. Canberra must be suffering badly from scorched earth. Thirteen members of the club “did” this district and “did” it thoroughly. Good organisation and careful co-operation from everyone, enabled the party to break up, almost immediately, into four parties of three and one over. The re-union at the station on Easter Monday, when two parties of eight and one party of five, came in, was everything that could be expected, and everything that could be expected, was said.

Another doubtful benefit has been conferred on the country down south. This part of the country has been enriched (?) by the addition of a full set of teeth (upper). This, or these were not abandoned in that first fine careless rapture that holidays inspire but deliberately walked away from their owner. Unless we want a “Stranger than fiction” on our hands, we ought to put up warning notices in this district to save anyone being severely bitten and then bitterly blaming an escaped lion.

Many members (and their relations, apparently) made Friday the 21st April an opportunity of relieving themselves of the oppressive burden of Private Property by turning out their garages, attics and bringing in the stuff they couldn't give away, even to the salvage man. The things brought extremely high prices which ought to satisfy even the Services Committee for whom it was arranged and we feel there is considerable truth in the morose prophesies of one member who asserted that if another auction was held next week they would get all this lot back for re-auction. Surely there must have been much gnashing of teeth of those who had so carefully placed a reserve on their articles, when they saw the high prices reached.

We owe, and offer profuse apologies to Mr. W. Mullins. Bill, we hear was married a few months ago to Sheila White, and this oversight on our part occurred because we were unable to contact someone who had been at the ceremony. We hope the happy couple think no less of our congratulations for being extended so late.

After Ray Bean's effort in last month's Bushwalker, he has decided to have a rest, and as an afterthought to have tonsils out.


Letters From The Lads And Lasses.

Letters were received during April from:-

  • Jean Ray, C.M.W.
  • Jack Campbell
  • Rob Morrison
  • Tom Moppett
  • Gordon Upton
  • Keith Benne11
  • Gordon Mannell
  • Ron Galley
  • Sal Norden
  • Jack Watson
  • Frank Gentle
  • Jack Adams
  • Bruce Simpson
194405.1507857808.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017/10/13 12:23 (external edit)

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