Pamela King's Blog, page 2
January 21, 2020
A simplified explanation of the Dingo’s situation in Australia
Many overseas friends and readers don’t understand the Dingo’s situation in Australia. As planes take to the air once again to drop 1080 poison across the nation I thought I’d take a look at the Queensland Wild Dog Strategy 2011 - 2016.
I will use it as an example of how government bureaucracy across our nation kowtows to the pastoral industry while making cursory gestures to appease conservationists and ecologists - all at the expense of the Dingo.
There are several definitions in the document but the key ones to remember while reading this are:
Wild dogs include all wild-living dogs (including dingoes, feral dogs and hybrids)
All wild dogs are declared Class 2 pest animals under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act.
Pure dingoes are populations or individuals that have not hybridised with domestic dogs.
Included in the “desired” outcomes about the Dingo are understanding science on dingo genetic identification techniques; managing population ecology and populations of dingoes of conservation “significance”. (I believe the only colony of dingoes in Queensland they would in this category is on World Heritage Listed Fraser Island)
Confused yet? This is how government uses its ‘dingo’ legislation as it suits the situation.
The Dingo is also defined as both “wildlife” and “native wildlife” under Nature Conservation Act 1992. It is a natural source within protected areas e.g. National Parks.
Under the Forestry Act 1959 dingoes (being indigenous animal life) are protected but the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994 specifically excludes dingoes from the common mammal (indigenous to Australia) category.
Wild dogs and dingoes are defined as ‘animals’ under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 which provides for the control of pest animals only when the control is undertaken in a way that causes the animal as little pain as is reasonable.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manage dingoes in the protected areas. Outside protected area dingo is not protected wildlife.
And now to the table of impacts of wild dogs and dingoes.
It acknowledges that feral dogs and hybrids compete directly with dingoes for food and living spaces and hybridisation weakens the dingo gene pool.
It also acknowledges that dingoes limit feral animal populations (e.g. rabbits, goats, pigs, cats and foxes), which in turn may aid the survival of native species and admits that wild dogs may contribute to reduce kangaroo, feral goat and pig populations.
Under the social impacts it says that wild dogs can be a nuisance to householders and tourists but Dingoes have a role in tourism.
As a final point, almost an afterthought, it acknowledges Dingoes have a significant role in the spiritual and cultural practices of some Australians.
So in a nutshell that’s how the Queensland Government sees the Dingo. Let’s look at how they propose to manage the situation.
The strategy examines various control methods. They are trapping, shooting, baiting with both 1080 and strychnine, fencing, Guardian Animals (guard dogs, llamas and donkeys) and aversion techniques such as strobe lights.
All have some degree of cost and all, except for guardian animals and aversion therapy may impact on non-target species. (Actually it also mentions shooting but I believe that comes down to both the mentality and skill of the person.)
It then examines the humanness of each method. Guardian animals and exclusion fencing is considered a humane and non-lethal.
Shooting is considered humane when carried out by experienced, skilled and responsible shooters. If lactating females are shot, efforts should be made to find dependent pups and kill them quickly and humanely.
Regardless of the horrendous description of the way animals die from 1080 poisoning it CLAIMS the humaneness of 1080 is not yet fully understood. I don’t know how anyone who has seen animal poisoned by this barbaric method can claim it to be humane.
Strychnine is considered inhumane and yet it is permitted if used “correctly” and although admitting trapping causes pain and distress it goes on the describe methods to “increase animal welfare outcomes”.
So what are the desired outcomes of all this - zero tolerance of wild dogs inside the Wild Dog Barrier Fence, control of wild dogs elsewhere in the state and reduction of wild dog impacts in the coastal, peri-urban and rural residential management zones. The final desired outcome is conservation of dingo populations in Queensland. Just a little reminder again that “wild dogs” include Dingoes
In the extensive pages of Strategic Action there is no mention of encouraging or financially subsidising “kind control” methods.
Then we have a few short paragraphs about “conserving the dingo”. Short statements about hybridisation being the greatest threat to Dingo populations and DNA fingerprinting to detect hybridisation sit in the document without mention of how, when or where this is going to be explored except for liaison with research organisations and application of any new knowledge to management of ‘pure’ dingoes in Queensland protected areas.
I have used the Queensland Wild Dog Strategy 2011 – 2016 to demonstrated the contradictory status of the Dingo but must point out this situation is not limited to Queensland.
It is a complicated situation across Australia with different laws and attitudes in each State, plus a different set again federally. What they do have in common is that the Dingo is either a pest or a protected species according to where it may live or the whims of those in power.
I will use it as an example of how government bureaucracy across our nation kowtows to the pastoral industry while making cursory gestures to appease conservationists and ecologists - all at the expense of the Dingo.
There are several definitions in the document but the key ones to remember while reading this are:
Wild dogs include all wild-living dogs (including dingoes, feral dogs and hybrids)
All wild dogs are declared Class 2 pest animals under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act.
Pure dingoes are populations or individuals that have not hybridised with domestic dogs.
Included in the “desired” outcomes about the Dingo are understanding science on dingo genetic identification techniques; managing population ecology and populations of dingoes of conservation “significance”. (I believe the only colony of dingoes in Queensland they would in this category is on World Heritage Listed Fraser Island)
Confused yet? This is how government uses its ‘dingo’ legislation as it suits the situation.
The Dingo is also defined as both “wildlife” and “native wildlife” under Nature Conservation Act 1992. It is a natural source within protected areas e.g. National Parks.
Under the Forestry Act 1959 dingoes (being indigenous animal life) are protected but the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994 specifically excludes dingoes from the common mammal (indigenous to Australia) category.
Wild dogs and dingoes are defined as ‘animals’ under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 which provides for the control of pest animals only when the control is undertaken in a way that causes the animal as little pain as is reasonable.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manage dingoes in the protected areas. Outside protected area dingo is not protected wildlife.
And now to the table of impacts of wild dogs and dingoes.
It acknowledges that feral dogs and hybrids compete directly with dingoes for food and living spaces and hybridisation weakens the dingo gene pool.
It also acknowledges that dingoes limit feral animal populations (e.g. rabbits, goats, pigs, cats and foxes), which in turn may aid the survival of native species and admits that wild dogs may contribute to reduce kangaroo, feral goat and pig populations.
Under the social impacts it says that wild dogs can be a nuisance to householders and tourists but Dingoes have a role in tourism.
As a final point, almost an afterthought, it acknowledges Dingoes have a significant role in the spiritual and cultural practices of some Australians.
So in a nutshell that’s how the Queensland Government sees the Dingo. Let’s look at how they propose to manage the situation.
The strategy examines various control methods. They are trapping, shooting, baiting with both 1080 and strychnine, fencing, Guardian Animals (guard dogs, llamas and donkeys) and aversion techniques such as strobe lights.
All have some degree of cost and all, except for guardian animals and aversion therapy may impact on non-target species. (Actually it also mentions shooting but I believe that comes down to both the mentality and skill of the person.)
It then examines the humanness of each method. Guardian animals and exclusion fencing is considered a humane and non-lethal.
Shooting is considered humane when carried out by experienced, skilled and responsible shooters. If lactating females are shot, efforts should be made to find dependent pups and kill them quickly and humanely.
Regardless of the horrendous description of the way animals die from 1080 poisoning it CLAIMS the humaneness of 1080 is not yet fully understood. I don’t know how anyone who has seen animal poisoned by this barbaric method can claim it to be humane.
Strychnine is considered inhumane and yet it is permitted if used “correctly” and although admitting trapping causes pain and distress it goes on the describe methods to “increase animal welfare outcomes”.
So what are the desired outcomes of all this - zero tolerance of wild dogs inside the Wild Dog Barrier Fence, control of wild dogs elsewhere in the state and reduction of wild dog impacts in the coastal, peri-urban and rural residential management zones. The final desired outcome is conservation of dingo populations in Queensland. Just a little reminder again that “wild dogs” include Dingoes
In the extensive pages of Strategic Action there is no mention of encouraging or financially subsidising “kind control” methods.
Then we have a few short paragraphs about “conserving the dingo”. Short statements about hybridisation being the greatest threat to Dingo populations and DNA fingerprinting to detect hybridisation sit in the document without mention of how, when or where this is going to be explored except for liaison with research organisations and application of any new knowledge to management of ‘pure’ dingoes in Queensland protected areas.
I have used the Queensland Wild Dog Strategy 2011 – 2016 to demonstrated the contradictory status of the Dingo but must point out this situation is not limited to Queensland.
It is a complicated situation across Australia with different laws and attitudes in each State, plus a different set again federally. What they do have in common is that the Dingo is either a pest or a protected species according to where it may live or the whims of those in power.
January 15, 2020
We’ve come a long way on behalf of the Dingo.
I know it is a frustrating role trying to gain acceptance and understanding for the Dingo. We still have a very long way to go to have the Dingo recognised as a native of Australia, acknowledged for its important role as the apex predator in maintaining nature’s balance and its character understood and appreciated by everyone.
The dingo’s image is still far from what we want it to be.
However, the more I read from the past as part of my research for Berenice Walters’ biography the more I appreciate just how far dingo advocates have come.
Here are some examples of what was written about the Dingo in the past.
In the 1950s the following article titled “The Dog That Can't Be Trained - The Australian Dingo” appeared in Airways magazine.
"One may be able to tame a lion or even a panther, but, after three years of patient trying, a group of Dutch animal lovers have still failed to domesticate Australia's wild dog - the dingo.
"This wild dog, ancestor of all dogs, just refuses to be tamed,” says one of these experts living in Zeeland, "because of its strange character and physical power.
"This is certainly not a dog to be kept by a private person, for it has too much personality to become subject to a master. In fact, it wants to live with human beings on the same level, but never on a master-animal relationship. "
This verdict is supported by the Director of the Rotterdam Zoo who started a training experiment about six years ago with a pair of dingoes given to him by a colleague from the Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands.
Having little success in the early stages, it was thought that the dogs could be an unusual pair, and so two more pairs were imported from Australia. Export restrictions would normally have prevented this, but as the animals were required purely for scientific experiment, the Australian authorities waived the restriction. Unfortunately, the experiment ended in failure.
One dog breeder said, "This dog could only be kept in a cage of concrete. It has dug up our oil pipe buried three feet deep in the garden. It gnawed a huge hole in the wall because it heard water running in a nearby stream. It climbed a fence more than six feet high and regularly stole food from my neighbour's kitchen. Nevertheless, it was very gentle with me for a time. Finally it became clear, however, that this animal would never succumb to being a house dog. "
Another dog trainer told of his disillusionment: ''At first we thought we had a treasure because both our dingoes, which we named Dinkie and Tukumi, seemed to have fallen in love with my four children. It soon turned out that the dogs were strong-willed animals that refused to take orders. I have had experience with handling some very fierce dogs, but eventually I had to turn my two dingoes over to the Antwerp Zoo - still far from house-trained. "
A report recently issued contains many interesting facts about the dingo, all of which confirm the view long held in Australia that this animal is quite impossible to deal with."
In 1788 the general consensus was that the Dingo was unlikely to become familiar (common place). Surgeon John White says of the Dingo, 'It is capable of barking, although not so readily as the European dogs; it is very ill-natured and vicious, and snarls, howls, and moans, like dogs in common.'
Lt William Bradley says, ... 'It has much of the manners of the dog, but is of a very savage nature, and not likely to change in that particular. It laps like other dogs, but neither barks nor growls if vexed and seized, instead of which it erects the hairs of the whole body like bristles, and seems furious ... From its fierceness and agility it has greatly the advantage of other animals much superior in size, ...with utmost ease it is able to leap over the back of an ass, and was very near worrying one to death, having fastened on it, so that the creature was not able to disengage himself without assistance: it has been also known to run down both deer and sheep ... it is scarcely to be expected that this elegant animal will ever become familiar. "
Governor Hunter said 'We know that the native dogs of this country hunt and kill kangaroo; they may be more fierce but they do not appear to be so strong as our large greyhound ... Of those dogs we have had many which were taken when young, but never could cure them of their natural ferocity; although well fed, they would at all times, but particularly after dark, fly at young pigs, chickens, or any small animal which they might be able to conquer, and immediately kill and generally eat them. I had one which was a puppy when caught, but, notwithstanding I took such pains to correct and cure it of its savageness, I found it took every opportunity which it met with, to snap off the head of a fowl, or worry a pig, and would do it in defiance of correction. They are very good natured animal when domesticated, but I believe it to be impossible to cure that savageness, which all I have seen seem to possess.'
The Dingo displayed at the Australian Museum until about 1980 certainly did nothing to dispel the negative image of our dingo. With piercing eyes, lips shrunken into a perennial snarl, a bullet hole in its forehead plugged with rabbit fur, it was a real turn-off.
The dingo’s image is still far from what we want it to be.
However, the more I read from the past as part of my research for Berenice Walters’ biography the more I appreciate just how far dingo advocates have come.
Here are some examples of what was written about the Dingo in the past.
In the 1950s the following article titled “The Dog That Can't Be Trained - The Australian Dingo” appeared in Airways magazine.
"One may be able to tame a lion or even a panther, but, after three years of patient trying, a group of Dutch animal lovers have still failed to domesticate Australia's wild dog - the dingo.
"This wild dog, ancestor of all dogs, just refuses to be tamed,” says one of these experts living in Zeeland, "because of its strange character and physical power.
"This is certainly not a dog to be kept by a private person, for it has too much personality to become subject to a master. In fact, it wants to live with human beings on the same level, but never on a master-animal relationship. "
This verdict is supported by the Director of the Rotterdam Zoo who started a training experiment about six years ago with a pair of dingoes given to him by a colleague from the Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands.
Having little success in the early stages, it was thought that the dogs could be an unusual pair, and so two more pairs were imported from Australia. Export restrictions would normally have prevented this, but as the animals were required purely for scientific experiment, the Australian authorities waived the restriction. Unfortunately, the experiment ended in failure.
One dog breeder said, "This dog could only be kept in a cage of concrete. It has dug up our oil pipe buried three feet deep in the garden. It gnawed a huge hole in the wall because it heard water running in a nearby stream. It climbed a fence more than six feet high and regularly stole food from my neighbour's kitchen. Nevertheless, it was very gentle with me for a time. Finally it became clear, however, that this animal would never succumb to being a house dog. "
Another dog trainer told of his disillusionment: ''At first we thought we had a treasure because both our dingoes, which we named Dinkie and Tukumi, seemed to have fallen in love with my four children. It soon turned out that the dogs were strong-willed animals that refused to take orders. I have had experience with handling some very fierce dogs, but eventually I had to turn my two dingoes over to the Antwerp Zoo - still far from house-trained. "
A report recently issued contains many interesting facts about the dingo, all of which confirm the view long held in Australia that this animal is quite impossible to deal with."
In 1788 the general consensus was that the Dingo was unlikely to become familiar (common place). Surgeon John White says of the Dingo, 'It is capable of barking, although not so readily as the European dogs; it is very ill-natured and vicious, and snarls, howls, and moans, like dogs in common.'
Lt William Bradley says, ... 'It has much of the manners of the dog, but is of a very savage nature, and not likely to change in that particular. It laps like other dogs, but neither barks nor growls if vexed and seized, instead of which it erects the hairs of the whole body like bristles, and seems furious ... From its fierceness and agility it has greatly the advantage of other animals much superior in size, ...with utmost ease it is able to leap over the back of an ass, and was very near worrying one to death, having fastened on it, so that the creature was not able to disengage himself without assistance: it has been also known to run down both deer and sheep ... it is scarcely to be expected that this elegant animal will ever become familiar. "
Governor Hunter said 'We know that the native dogs of this country hunt and kill kangaroo; they may be more fierce but they do not appear to be so strong as our large greyhound ... Of those dogs we have had many which were taken when young, but never could cure them of their natural ferocity; although well fed, they would at all times, but particularly after dark, fly at young pigs, chickens, or any small animal which they might be able to conquer, and immediately kill and generally eat them. I had one which was a puppy when caught, but, notwithstanding I took such pains to correct and cure it of its savageness, I found it took every opportunity which it met with, to snap off the head of a fowl, or worry a pig, and would do it in defiance of correction. They are very good natured animal when domesticated, but I believe it to be impossible to cure that savageness, which all I have seen seem to possess.'
The Dingo displayed at the Australian Museum until about 1980 certainly did nothing to dispel the negative image of our dingo. With piercing eyes, lips shrunken into a perennial snarl, a bullet hole in its forehead plugged with rabbit fur, it was a real turn-off.
January 11, 2020
Help me solve the mystery of the first Dingo Memorial
In September 1978 a memorial was erected near the entrance gates of the then Joseph Banks Fauna Reserve, Bathurst NSW and believed to be the first memorial to a Dingo.
Donated by Queensland Friends of the Earth is was made of red and blue granite and recalled an incident, recorded by explorer John Oxley, about a female dingo’s attachment to her mate. It was installed by local stonemason Allan Greenhill.
Bathurst Council told me they have no record of the memorial and it does not appear on the Bathurst Council 1997 Survey of Sculptures, Memorials and Outdoor Cultural Material.
The reserve was transferred to the Bathurst Aboriginal Land Council in about 2009 and they tell me Council took everything out before handing over the land.
I am trying to find out more information about the memorial – what happened to it, what was the inscription and do any photos exist.
The Western Star Newspaper ran a small article on 25th September 1978 but tell me I would need to visit their archives in Dubbo to see if any photos were taken.
Donated by Queensland Friends of the Earth is was made of red and blue granite and recalled an incident, recorded by explorer John Oxley, about a female dingo’s attachment to her mate. It was installed by local stonemason Allan Greenhill.
Bathurst Council told me they have no record of the memorial and it does not appear on the Bathurst Council 1997 Survey of Sculptures, Memorials and Outdoor Cultural Material.
The reserve was transferred to the Bathurst Aboriginal Land Council in about 2009 and they tell me Council took everything out before handing over the land.
I am trying to find out more information about the memorial – what happened to it, what was the inscription and do any photos exist.
The Western Star Newspaper ran a small article on 25th September 1978 but tell me I would need to visit their archives in Dubbo to see if any photos were taken.
January 8, 2020
What a great way to get kids interested in Dingoes
A local cub group contacted Berenice in 1987 about visiting the Dingoes to learn more about them, and … ‘how to howl’.
They were to attend a Cub-o-rama at Casino in northern NSW and where a Dingo Howling Contest was to be held. Enterprising Cub leaders took the opportunity to meet the ‘Merigal’ dingoes and get some practice and guidelines generally on howling.
Sixty odd cubs and parents and friends enthusiastically got to know individual Dingoes, and set up for a BBQ and picnic lunch. The weather was perfect to enjoy a day in the beautiful grounds. Society members present felt a surge of pride showing off what had been accomplished over the years. This is what the society efforts were all about.
Although the Dingoes did not oblige with a howling session, they were able to view slides and hear sound recordings of howling.
A week later one of the group leaders returned to make his own recording of howling so the cubs could listen to it and practice. Setting up the equipment in Berenice’s kitchen all fingers were crossed for a successful session. The tape was started and much to everyone’s delight Meri Meri joined in giving the tape a real boost, adding freshness and personality.
The finished product sounded wonderful with tremendous volume.
I am sure the new friends of the enjoyed practising their Dingo howls on the long drive to Casino.
They were to attend a Cub-o-rama at Casino in northern NSW and where a Dingo Howling Contest was to be held. Enterprising Cub leaders took the opportunity to meet the ‘Merigal’ dingoes and get some practice and guidelines generally on howling.
Sixty odd cubs and parents and friends enthusiastically got to know individual Dingoes, and set up for a BBQ and picnic lunch. The weather was perfect to enjoy a day in the beautiful grounds. Society members present felt a surge of pride showing off what had been accomplished over the years. This is what the society efforts were all about.
Although the Dingoes did not oblige with a howling session, they were able to view slides and hear sound recordings of howling.
A week later one of the group leaders returned to make his own recording of howling so the cubs could listen to it and practice. Setting up the equipment in Berenice’s kitchen all fingers were crossed for a successful session. The tape was started and much to everyone’s delight Meri Meri joined in giving the tape a real boost, adding freshness and personality.
The finished product sounded wonderful with tremendous volume.
I am sure the new friends of the enjoyed practising their Dingo howls on the long drive to Casino.
December 18, 2019
I cried as I read a letter from the past
Today I read a letter to Berenice Walters from John Hogan. I never met John, but he loved Berenice’s dingoes especially Napoleon. Eventually John became the first person to have hearing assistance dingo.
The reason I cried will become apparent in a moment but first I need to explain to those who may not know how desperate the situation is on Fraser Island for the resident dingoes.
I’ll try and be brief and put it in dot point:
Fraser Island is a world Heritage Listed Island and the largest sand island in the world.
The dingoes inhabiting Fraser Island, and have done so before white man took a step on it, were once believed to be the purest strain of dingo.
The Queensland Government has put the tourist dollar as a higher priority to conservation of both the island and the dingoes.
The treatment of the dingoes, under the authority of the Queensland Wildlife and Parks Services has been nothing short of appalling, cruel and lacking in understanding of the Dingo's character, habits and needs.
For more information about the situation on Fraser Is this website is a good place to start http://savefraserislanddingoes.com/
The reason for the title of this blog is this extract from John’s letter dated 12th January 1989:
I have been away with my family. The most interesting place of all was FRASER ISLAND where the dingoes are roaming freely and have no access to the mainland.
They usually came close if we were sitting or laying on the ground. They would move away if we were standing or walking - they were self defencing their treasured bodies and beautiful cute faces. The firearms, traps and farming animals are forbidden on the island. I see the dingoes smiling at the warning notices to preserve their privacy.
It was great to see their freedom and pride in the world's largest sand island. They have walked and slept peacefully without attacking anybody for at least 60 years, as the rangers told us, when the loggers first saw them in 1932. Rangers also claimed that the dingoes are their natural friends and are respected.
What has happened in just under 30 years?
Where are the rangers who considered the dingoes their friends? If a dingo is accused of attacking a human, regardless of the fact the human behaved in a stupid and ignorant manner, it is destroyed by the rangers. It is the rangers that attach heavy, cumbersome ear tags; tags weighing ears down or worse tear them.
Where are the laws putting dingoes first?
I have always wanted to visit Fraser Island and always imagined it to be the way John described it but I don't think I ever will until the situation is reversed. I know it would break my heart to see them in the condition they are now - underfed and becoming inbred due to the reduction in their numbers.
When I went searching for information on the internet I was astonished and disgusted at the big fancy resort ready to grab the tourist dollars at any cost to the island and the dingoes.
Really, if people want to holiday in places like that there are plenty of other Queensland islands already ruined by the tourism industry.
I appeal to any reader from overseas to please spread the word, not just about the Fraser Island dingoes, but all dingoes in Australia. People world-wide support campaigns on behalf of dolphins, whales, pandas, wolves, foxes and many more but the world does not seem to know about the plight of our beautiful dingoes maligned and mercilessly hunted since 1788.
The reason I cried will become apparent in a moment but first I need to explain to those who may not know how desperate the situation is on Fraser Island for the resident dingoes.
I’ll try and be brief and put it in dot point:
Fraser Island is a world Heritage Listed Island and the largest sand island in the world.
The dingoes inhabiting Fraser Island, and have done so before white man took a step on it, were once believed to be the purest strain of dingo.
The Queensland Government has put the tourist dollar as a higher priority to conservation of both the island and the dingoes.
The treatment of the dingoes, under the authority of the Queensland Wildlife and Parks Services has been nothing short of appalling, cruel and lacking in understanding of the Dingo's character, habits and needs.
For more information about the situation on Fraser Is this website is a good place to start http://savefraserislanddingoes.com/
The reason for the title of this blog is this extract from John’s letter dated 12th January 1989:
I have been away with my family. The most interesting place of all was FRASER ISLAND where the dingoes are roaming freely and have no access to the mainland.
They usually came close if we were sitting or laying on the ground. They would move away if we were standing or walking - they were self defencing their treasured bodies and beautiful cute faces. The firearms, traps and farming animals are forbidden on the island. I see the dingoes smiling at the warning notices to preserve their privacy.
It was great to see their freedom and pride in the world's largest sand island. They have walked and slept peacefully without attacking anybody for at least 60 years, as the rangers told us, when the loggers first saw them in 1932. Rangers also claimed that the dingoes are their natural friends and are respected.
What has happened in just under 30 years?
Where are the rangers who considered the dingoes their friends? If a dingo is accused of attacking a human, regardless of the fact the human behaved in a stupid and ignorant manner, it is destroyed by the rangers. It is the rangers that attach heavy, cumbersome ear tags; tags weighing ears down or worse tear them.
Where are the laws putting dingoes first?
I have always wanted to visit Fraser Island and always imagined it to be the way John described it but I don't think I ever will until the situation is reversed. I know it would break my heart to see them in the condition they are now - underfed and becoming inbred due to the reduction in their numbers.
When I went searching for information on the internet I was astonished and disgusted at the big fancy resort ready to grab the tourist dollars at any cost to the island and the dingoes.
Really, if people want to holiday in places like that there are plenty of other Queensland islands already ruined by the tourism industry.
I appeal to any reader from overseas to please spread the word, not just about the Fraser Island dingoes, but all dingoes in Australia. People world-wide support campaigns on behalf of dolphins, whales, pandas, wolves, foxes and many more but the world does not seem to know about the plight of our beautiful dingoes maligned and mercilessly hunted since 1788.
December 14, 2019
Dingoes v Alan Wilkie by Berenice Walters 1977
With the onset of the rain the Dingoes have been in fine voice. The weather forecast was for a dry day, no change in sight, reaching 27 temp.
We knew differently. Three times during the morning the Dingoes had conglomerated in happy groups to howl; voices relaxed, sociable, tails high and wagging. (Sometimes I join them and am greeted with expressions of pleasure, their ears back, heads high, smiling their welcome.) On this particular day it was raining by mid afternoon.
How I love these happy groups of friends. Their acceptance of me fills me with the greatest happiness and humility. I feel a complete person.
At the approach of the breeding season the howling takes on a new dimension. It is excited and challenging, the males no doubt sure in their quest of a mate, the females confident in the knowledge of their forthcoming attraction.
Nothing could be more sad and soulful nor weirdly spine chilling than the howl of the lonely Dingo, the Dingo deprived of his own kind without the close companionship of his owner. The Dingo needs a close and understanding relationship with his loved ones. He must be a member of the family; not a pet.
We knew differently. Three times during the morning the Dingoes had conglomerated in happy groups to howl; voices relaxed, sociable, tails high and wagging. (Sometimes I join them and am greeted with expressions of pleasure, their ears back, heads high, smiling their welcome.) On this particular day it was raining by mid afternoon.
How I love these happy groups of friends. Their acceptance of me fills me with the greatest happiness and humility. I feel a complete person.
At the approach of the breeding season the howling takes on a new dimension. It is excited and challenging, the males no doubt sure in their quest of a mate, the females confident in the knowledge of their forthcoming attraction.
Nothing could be more sad and soulful nor weirdly spine chilling than the howl of the lonely Dingo, the Dingo deprived of his own kind without the close companionship of his owner. The Dingo needs a close and understanding relationship with his loved ones. He must be a member of the family; not a pet.
December 11, 2019
The Taming of the Shrew
Our story starts in 1992 at the Merigal Dingo Sanctuary when Snowdrift (Snowy) and Sunny became proud parents of one son and two daughters. Of course, Sunny did all the hard work of giving birth while Snowdrift suffered all the anxiety of an expectant father.
Initially, Snowdrift was not actively involved in the care of his family for the first two or three weeks but as they became more active was eager to care for his offspring and start their early education.
The pups must learn to respect and obey their parents. They must obey their parents and never trust strangers. Their play is supervised by their parents and is part of their education in teaching them hunting skills.
Very soon the pups had grown and it was time to farewell the boy, Humpty Snowman who was to travel by air to his new home in Céligny, on the French Swiss border where dingoes are not persecuted as they are in Australia. Next to move was Mingga, who became best friend of a society member.
This left Wattle who now received the full attention of her parents. Wattle however was constantly in trouble and Snowydrift, although a very loving father, was also a very strict disciplinarian who demanded obedience from his children.
Wattle was rebellious and determined to go her own way. Snowy responded by resorting to ever more severe punishments for his wayward daughter. It was thought he was being too harsh with her and she needed to be removed from his care.
Snowy's sister, Snowqueen (Queenie) and her mate Humpty Two (Twoey), had two daughters about the same age as Wattle. They were a delightful and easy going couple and quite happy to take Wattle as a playmate for Amber and Keira. Wattle was accepted as one of the family, but when the pups were big enough to jump onto the top of the kennel, Amber and Keira would not allow Wattle to join them. It was clearly a meeting place for immediate family members only. Eventually this family group also broke up and Wattle found a new mate - handsome, good natured Harry.
‘Wattie’ was the Dingo that knocked Doctor Harry’s glasses off during the filming of his TV show.
She was originally an outgoing, friendly girl but when her favourite human was unable to visit her any more she became very afraid of strangers and set about excavating a "bolt hole" for herself under the pile of rocks.
There she remained when visitors were around and Harry got all the attention. This made her extremely jealous so, at the first opportunity she would dash out, take a savage bite out of Harry and retreat under her rocks. Harry did not have her speed and agility and was too big to squeeze into her hide out. It became clear that this bad tempered shrew was dominating Harry.
They were moved to another run with nowhere to hide. Wattle objected and while everyone was asleep she tunnelled under the fence to freedom, where she ran around and stirred up the occupants of all the other runs. Berenice found her sitting in front of her old run. The tunnel was blocked up so she called on skills she learnt from her mother – how to open gates.
Her mother had exceptional dexterity in the use of her front paws. Bolts secured by slide catches were easy work, as were padlocks if not securely locked. Once when the key was left in the padlock she managed to turn the key and remove the padlock.
Wattle was not quite as skilled as Sunny but could slide open bolts and knock out unlocked padlocks. After removing the detested object she would take the time to bury it in some distant area of her run before opening the gate to freedom.
Wattle is determined to get what she wants, so she got to go back to her home with her pile of rocks. While showing off the angelic side of her nature to all the helpers she depends on to take her for walks she made Harry suffer for her jealousy of his popularity.
The attacks on him became more frequent and savage until he began to look like a moth eaten Teddy Bear. It was necessary to do some partner swapping.
Yindi was on her own following the passing of her father so Harry was moved in with her. Yindi had always lived with her family and had always been at the bottom in the "pecking order". She was fascinated by her new mate who was very handsome, in spite of his somewhat tattered appearance.
Harry, however, was not pleased with his new accommodation or his new companion butafter receiving a deep wound in his leg while trying to demolish the fence to make his escape he abandoned the idea and discovered he was now TOP DOG. Years of coping with Wattle's aggression had made him wary, but now, dizzy with euphoria, he took full advantage of his superiority by stealing all the food from his new mate.
For the first time in his life Harry had become a greedy pig. It was necessary to supervise mealtimes, give lessons in table manners, emphasise the importance of sharing and remind Harry of the eighth commandment - Thou Shalt Not Steal. Yindi had lots of friends who gave her extra food and she was happy with her new mate in spite of his bad manners. Harry soon grew his thick lustrous coat back. He was been slow to accept another mate but who can blame him for thinking that every bitch is a bitchy one.
Back to Wattle. She still had her pile of rocks but no mate. It was decided to try her with Paterson (son of Banjo) who had returned from Taronga Zoo after 18 months there. He had become very stressed because of repeated attacks by the three tropical dingoes and was glad to return to his birthplace. How would he handle another nasty little bitch?
Wattle and he were set free at opposite ends of a large paddock. She made straight for him in a furious rage, intending no doubt to tear a strip off him. Much to her amazement, Paterson stood until she reached him with fangs bared, he knocked her to the ground and stood on her until she submitted to his superior strength. For the first time in her life she was the underdog.
Further skirmishes occurred when he moved into her run but Paterson was used to fighting three opponents at the same time so one cranky little dingo presented no major problem.
Eventually she gave in.
Her new mate was a very pleasant companion who, although he was not prepared to put up with her tantrums was happy to live in peace with her as long as she behaved herself.
Two weeks later they were observed kissing each other on top of the rocks.
Congratulations Paterson for your success in the Taming of the Shrew.
Initially, Snowdrift was not actively involved in the care of his family for the first two or three weeks but as they became more active was eager to care for his offspring and start their early education.
The pups must learn to respect and obey their parents. They must obey their parents and never trust strangers. Their play is supervised by their parents and is part of their education in teaching them hunting skills.
Very soon the pups had grown and it was time to farewell the boy, Humpty Snowman who was to travel by air to his new home in Céligny, on the French Swiss border where dingoes are not persecuted as they are in Australia. Next to move was Mingga, who became best friend of a society member.
This left Wattle who now received the full attention of her parents. Wattle however was constantly in trouble and Snowydrift, although a very loving father, was also a very strict disciplinarian who demanded obedience from his children.
Wattle was rebellious and determined to go her own way. Snowy responded by resorting to ever more severe punishments for his wayward daughter. It was thought he was being too harsh with her and she needed to be removed from his care.
Snowy's sister, Snowqueen (Queenie) and her mate Humpty Two (Twoey), had two daughters about the same age as Wattle. They were a delightful and easy going couple and quite happy to take Wattle as a playmate for Amber and Keira. Wattle was accepted as one of the family, but when the pups were big enough to jump onto the top of the kennel, Amber and Keira would not allow Wattle to join them. It was clearly a meeting place for immediate family members only. Eventually this family group also broke up and Wattle found a new mate - handsome, good natured Harry.
‘Wattie’ was the Dingo that knocked Doctor Harry’s glasses off during the filming of his TV show.
She was originally an outgoing, friendly girl but when her favourite human was unable to visit her any more she became very afraid of strangers and set about excavating a "bolt hole" for herself under the pile of rocks.
There she remained when visitors were around and Harry got all the attention. This made her extremely jealous so, at the first opportunity she would dash out, take a savage bite out of Harry and retreat under her rocks. Harry did not have her speed and agility and was too big to squeeze into her hide out. It became clear that this bad tempered shrew was dominating Harry.
They were moved to another run with nowhere to hide. Wattle objected and while everyone was asleep she tunnelled under the fence to freedom, where she ran around and stirred up the occupants of all the other runs. Berenice found her sitting in front of her old run. The tunnel was blocked up so she called on skills she learnt from her mother – how to open gates.
Her mother had exceptional dexterity in the use of her front paws. Bolts secured by slide catches were easy work, as were padlocks if not securely locked. Once when the key was left in the padlock she managed to turn the key and remove the padlock.
Wattle was not quite as skilled as Sunny but could slide open bolts and knock out unlocked padlocks. After removing the detested object she would take the time to bury it in some distant area of her run before opening the gate to freedom.
Wattle is determined to get what she wants, so she got to go back to her home with her pile of rocks. While showing off the angelic side of her nature to all the helpers she depends on to take her for walks she made Harry suffer for her jealousy of his popularity.
The attacks on him became more frequent and savage until he began to look like a moth eaten Teddy Bear. It was necessary to do some partner swapping.
Yindi was on her own following the passing of her father so Harry was moved in with her. Yindi had always lived with her family and had always been at the bottom in the "pecking order". She was fascinated by her new mate who was very handsome, in spite of his somewhat tattered appearance.
Harry, however, was not pleased with his new accommodation or his new companion butafter receiving a deep wound in his leg while trying to demolish the fence to make his escape he abandoned the idea and discovered he was now TOP DOG. Years of coping with Wattle's aggression had made him wary, but now, dizzy with euphoria, he took full advantage of his superiority by stealing all the food from his new mate.
For the first time in his life Harry had become a greedy pig. It was necessary to supervise mealtimes, give lessons in table manners, emphasise the importance of sharing and remind Harry of the eighth commandment - Thou Shalt Not Steal. Yindi had lots of friends who gave her extra food and she was happy with her new mate in spite of his bad manners. Harry soon grew his thick lustrous coat back. He was been slow to accept another mate but who can blame him for thinking that every bitch is a bitchy one.
Back to Wattle. She still had her pile of rocks but no mate. It was decided to try her with Paterson (son of Banjo) who had returned from Taronga Zoo after 18 months there. He had become very stressed because of repeated attacks by the three tropical dingoes and was glad to return to his birthplace. How would he handle another nasty little bitch?
Wattle and he were set free at opposite ends of a large paddock. She made straight for him in a furious rage, intending no doubt to tear a strip off him. Much to her amazement, Paterson stood until she reached him with fangs bared, he knocked her to the ground and stood on her until she submitted to his superior strength. For the first time in her life she was the underdog.
Further skirmishes occurred when he moved into her run but Paterson was used to fighting three opponents at the same time so one cranky little dingo presented no major problem.
Eventually she gave in.
Her new mate was a very pleasant companion who, although he was not prepared to put up with her tantrums was happy to live in peace with her as long as she behaved herself.
Two weeks later they were observed kissing each other on top of the rocks.
Congratulations Paterson for your success in the Taming of the Shrew.
December 3, 2019
The Taming of the Shrew
Our story starts in 1992 at the Merigal Dingo Sanctuary when Snowdrift (Snowy) and Sunny became proud parents of one son and two daughters. Of course, Sunny did all the hard work of giving birth while Snowdrift suffered all the anxiety of an expectant father.
Initially, Snowdrift was not actively involved in the care of his family for the first two or three weeks but as they became more active was eager to care for his offspring and start their early education.
The pups must learn to respect and obey their parents. They must obey their parents and never trust strangers. Their play is supervised by their parents and is part of their education in teaching them hunting skills.
Very soon the pups had grown and it was time to farewell the boy, Humpty Snowman who was to travel by air to his new home in Céligny, on the French Swiss border where dingoes are not persecuted as they are in Australia. Next to move was Mingga, who became best friend of a society member.
This left Wattle who now received the full attention of her parents. Wattle however was constantly in trouble and Snowydrift, although a very loving father, was also a very strict disciplinarian who demanded obedience from his children.
Wattle was rebellious and determined to go her own way. Snowy responded by resorting to ever more severe punishments for his wayward daughter. It was thought he was being too harsh with her and she needed to be removed from his care.
Snowy's sister, Snowqueen (Queenie) and her mate Humpty Two (Twoey), had two daughters about the same age as Wattle. They were a delightful and easy going couple and quite happy to take Wattle as a playmate for Amber and Keira. Wattle was accepted as one of the family, but when the pups were big enough to jump onto the top of the kennel, Amber and Keira would not allow Wattle to join them. It was clearly a meeting place for immediate family members only. Eventually this family group also broke up and Wattle found a new mate - handsome, good natured Harry.
‘Wattie’ was the Dingo that knocked Doctor Harry’s glasses off during the filming of his TV show.
She was originally an outgoing, friendly girl but when her favourite human was unable to visit her any more she became very afraid of strangers and set about excavating a "bolt hole" for herself under the pile of rocks.
There she remained when visitors were around and Harry got all the attention. This made her extremely jealous so, at the first opportunity she would dash out, take a savage bite out of Harry and retreat under her rocks. Harry did not have her speed and agility and was too big to squeeze into her hide out. It became clear that this bad tempered shrew was dominating Harry.
They were moved to another run with nowhere to hide. Wattle objected and while everyone was asleep she tunnelled under the fence to freedom, where she ran around and stirred up the occupants of all the other runs. Berenice found her sitting in front of her old run. The tunnel was blocked up so she called on skills she learnt from her mother – how to open gates.
Her mother had exceptional dexterity in the use of her front paws. Bolts secured by slide catches were easy work, as were padlocks if not securely locked. Once when the key was left in the padlock she managed to turn the key and remove the padlock.
Wattle was not quite as skilled as Sunny but could slide open bolts and knock out unlocked padlocks. After removing the detested object she would take the time to bury it in some distant area of her run before opening the gate to freedom.
Wattle is determined to get what she wants, so she got to go back to her home with her pile of rocks. While showing off the angelic side of her nature to all the helpers she depends on to take her for walks she made Harry suffer for her jealousy of his popularity.
The attacks on him became more frequent and savage until he began to look like a moth eaten Teddy Bear. It was necessary to do some partner swapping.
Yindi was on her own following the passing of her father so Harry was moved in with her. Yindi had always lived with her family and had always been at the bottom in the "pecking order". She was fascinated by her new mate who was very handsome, in spite of his somewhat tattered appearance.
Harry, however, was not pleased with his new accommodation or his new companion butafter receiving a deep wound in his leg while trying to demolish the fence to make his escape he abandoned the idea and discovered he was now TOP DOG. Years of coping with Wattle's aggression had made him wary, but now, dizzy with euphoria, he took full advantage of his superiority by stealing all the food from his new mate.
For the first time in his life Harry had become a greedy pig. It was necessary to supervise mealtimes, give lessons in table manners, emphasise the importance of sharing and remind Harry of the eighth commandment - Thou Shalt Not Steal. Yindi had lots of friends who gave her extra food and she was happy with her new mate in spite of his bad manners. Harry soon grew his thick lustrous coat back. He was been slow to accept another mate but who can blame him for thinking that every bitch is a bitchy one.
Back to Wattle. She still had her pile of rocks but no mate. It was decided to try her with Paterson (son of Banjo) who had returned from Taronga Zoo after 18 months there. He had become very stressed because of repeated attacks by the three tropical dingoes and was glad to return to his birthplace. How would he handle another nasty little bitch?
Wattle and he were set free at opposite ends of a large paddock. She made straight for him in a furious rage, intending no doubt to tear a strip off him. Much to her amazement, Paterson stood until she reached him with fangs bared, he knocked her to the ground and stood on her until she submitted to his superior strength. For the first time in her life she was the underdog.
Further skirmishes occurred when he moved into her run but Paterson was used to fighting three opponents at the same time so one cranky little dingo presented no major problem.
Eventually she gave in.
Her new mate was a very pleasant companion who, although he was not prepared to put up with her tantrums was happy to live in peace with her as long as she behaved herself.
Two weeks later they were observed kissing each other on top of the rocks.
Congratulations Paterson for your success in the Taming of the Shrew.
Initially, Snowdrift was not actively involved in the care of his family for the first two or three weeks but as they became more active was eager to care for his offspring and start their early education.
The pups must learn to respect and obey their parents. They must obey their parents and never trust strangers. Their play is supervised by their parents and is part of their education in teaching them hunting skills.
Very soon the pups had grown and it was time to farewell the boy, Humpty Snowman who was to travel by air to his new home in Céligny, on the French Swiss border where dingoes are not persecuted as they are in Australia. Next to move was Mingga, who became best friend of a society member.
This left Wattle who now received the full attention of her parents. Wattle however was constantly in trouble and Snowydrift, although a very loving father, was also a very strict disciplinarian who demanded obedience from his children.
Wattle was rebellious and determined to go her own way. Snowy responded by resorting to ever more severe punishments for his wayward daughter. It was thought he was being too harsh with her and she needed to be removed from his care.
Snowy's sister, Snowqueen (Queenie) and her mate Humpty Two (Twoey), had two daughters about the same age as Wattle. They were a delightful and easy going couple and quite happy to take Wattle as a playmate for Amber and Keira. Wattle was accepted as one of the family, but when the pups were big enough to jump onto the top of the kennel, Amber and Keira would not allow Wattle to join them. It was clearly a meeting place for immediate family members only. Eventually this family group also broke up and Wattle found a new mate - handsome, good natured Harry.
‘Wattie’ was the Dingo that knocked Doctor Harry’s glasses off during the filming of his TV show.
She was originally an outgoing, friendly girl but when her favourite human was unable to visit her any more she became very afraid of strangers and set about excavating a "bolt hole" for herself under the pile of rocks.
There she remained when visitors were around and Harry got all the attention. This made her extremely jealous so, at the first opportunity she would dash out, take a savage bite out of Harry and retreat under her rocks. Harry did not have her speed and agility and was too big to squeeze into her hide out. It became clear that this bad tempered shrew was dominating Harry.
They were moved to another run with nowhere to hide. Wattle objected and while everyone was asleep she tunnelled under the fence to freedom, where she ran around and stirred up the occupants of all the other runs. Berenice found her sitting in front of her old run. The tunnel was blocked up so she called on skills she learnt from her mother – how to open gates.
Her mother had exceptional dexterity in the use of her front paws. Bolts secured by slide catches were easy work, as were padlocks if not securely locked. Once when the key was left in the padlock she managed to turn the key and remove the padlock.
Wattle was not quite as skilled as Sunny but could slide open bolts and knock out unlocked padlocks. After removing the detested object she would take the time to bury it in some distant area of her run before opening the gate to freedom.
Wattle is determined to get what she wants, so she got to go back to her home with her pile of rocks. While showing off the angelic side of her nature to all the helpers she depends on to take her for walks she made Harry suffer for her jealousy of his popularity.
The attacks on him became more frequent and savage until he began to look like a moth eaten Teddy Bear. It was necessary to do some partner swapping.
Yindi was on her own following the passing of her father so Harry was moved in with her. Yindi had always lived with her family and had always been at the bottom in the "pecking order". She was fascinated by her new mate who was very handsome, in spite of his somewhat tattered appearance.
Harry, however, was not pleased with his new accommodation or his new companion butafter receiving a deep wound in his leg while trying to demolish the fence to make his escape he abandoned the idea and discovered he was now TOP DOG. Years of coping with Wattle's aggression had made him wary, but now, dizzy with euphoria, he took full advantage of his superiority by stealing all the food from his new mate.
For the first time in his life Harry had become a greedy pig. It was necessary to supervise mealtimes, give lessons in table manners, emphasise the importance of sharing and remind Harry of the eighth commandment - Thou Shalt Not Steal. Yindi had lots of friends who gave her extra food and she was happy with her new mate in spite of his bad manners. Harry soon grew his thick lustrous coat back. He was been slow to accept another mate but who can blame him for thinking that every bitch is a bitchy one.
Back to Wattle. She still had her pile of rocks but no mate. It was decided to try her with Paterson (son of Banjo) who had returned from Taronga Zoo after 18 months there. He had become very stressed because of repeated attacks by the three tropical dingoes and was glad to return to his birthplace. How would he handle another nasty little bitch?
Wattle and he were set free at opposite ends of a large paddock. She made straight for him in a furious rage, intending no doubt to tear a strip off him. Much to her amazement, Paterson stood until she reached him with fangs bared, he knocked her to the ground and stood on her until she submitted to his superior strength. For the first time in her life she was the underdog.
Further skirmishes occurred when he moved into her run but Paterson was used to fighting three opponents at the same time so one cranky little dingo presented no major problem.
Eventually she gave in.
Her new mate was a very pleasant companion who, although he was not prepared to put up with her tantrums was happy to live in peace with her as long as she behaved herself.
Two weeks later they were observed kissing each other on top of the rocks.
Congratulations Paterson for your success in the Taming of the Shrew.
November 30, 2019
The Quality of Love by Berenice Walters 1979
The Dingo is the embodiment of a free and natural spirit; independent, noble and aloof, dignified and graceful, quiet and reflective; an animal of tremendous loyalty and compassion for members of their family group or the human fortunate enough to have the trust and love of this most intriguing native Australian.
There are countless tales of the devotion of the Dingo to a mate caught in a trap, poisoned, or incapacitated in some way; of a bitch deliberately making a target of herself to decoy a would be enemy from her helpless pups; not aggressive enough to attack, but courageous enough to die for those she loves.
Over the many years I have been privileged to share with my Dingoes, I have been continually amazed at the breed's devotion to a loved one, the ability to question and reason, but nothing has affected me so completely as Dora's love for Joker.
Our young Dingo Dora, and our elderly Cattle Dog Joker (Champion Wooleston Blue Joker C.D.) had been running together for four years (but not bred), Dora showing her adoration for Joker in every conceivable manner at all times, he accepting her devotion with pride, jealously guarding her from rivals - real or imagined.
It had been obvious that Joker's sight was failing, and on several occasions at dusk he had run into a closed gate thinking it open. One night I arrived home late after a meeting, and Joker and Dora were still running in the grass enclosure. I opened the kennel door, calling to them. Dora ran straight in, but Joker held back. She returned to him and tried to shepherd him over to, and through, the gateway. He came close, but would not attempt to enter the yard, jumping up and down in confusion, uncertain as to whether the gate really was open. Again and again Dora ran behind him, coming up close to his side, her neck cradling his face to encourage him to move forward with her guidance.
Continuing in her efforts to inspire confidence, she became increasingly agitated at his obvious fear and confusion. My fatigue forgotten, I watched in astonishment and pride, the desperate efforts of this Dingo bitch to assist her mate. Fondling his face with her muzzle, her every movement displaying her increasing concern, she glanced appealingly at me, then back to Joker and going to him I gently lifted him into the kennel yard, his safe arrival greeted by an overjoyed Dora who ran to him and embraced him, then to me, her incredibly beautiful eyes mirroring the gratitude she felt in my helping her loved one.
In the Dingo, I so often see acts of compassion, tenderness and kindness; characteristics so often lacking in our own society. Is it this distinctive quality that reminds man of his own inadequacies, jealously blinding him in a fury of brutality and hate for that which he cannot, or will not, accept? It is sad that the very qualities that endear the Dingo to so many are, through ignorance, the cause of much of the intolerance and. prejudice in others. Perhaps through a better understanding of the Dingo, we will better understand ourselves.
There are countless tales of the devotion of the Dingo to a mate caught in a trap, poisoned, or incapacitated in some way; of a bitch deliberately making a target of herself to decoy a would be enemy from her helpless pups; not aggressive enough to attack, but courageous enough to die for those she loves.
Over the many years I have been privileged to share with my Dingoes, I have been continually amazed at the breed's devotion to a loved one, the ability to question and reason, but nothing has affected me so completely as Dora's love for Joker.
Our young Dingo Dora, and our elderly Cattle Dog Joker (Champion Wooleston Blue Joker C.D.) had been running together for four years (but not bred), Dora showing her adoration for Joker in every conceivable manner at all times, he accepting her devotion with pride, jealously guarding her from rivals - real or imagined.
It had been obvious that Joker's sight was failing, and on several occasions at dusk he had run into a closed gate thinking it open. One night I arrived home late after a meeting, and Joker and Dora were still running in the grass enclosure. I opened the kennel door, calling to them. Dora ran straight in, but Joker held back. She returned to him and tried to shepherd him over to, and through, the gateway. He came close, but would not attempt to enter the yard, jumping up and down in confusion, uncertain as to whether the gate really was open. Again and again Dora ran behind him, coming up close to his side, her neck cradling his face to encourage him to move forward with her guidance.
Continuing in her efforts to inspire confidence, she became increasingly agitated at his obvious fear and confusion. My fatigue forgotten, I watched in astonishment and pride, the desperate efforts of this Dingo bitch to assist her mate. Fondling his face with her muzzle, her every movement displaying her increasing concern, she glanced appealingly at me, then back to Joker and going to him I gently lifted him into the kennel yard, his safe arrival greeted by an overjoyed Dora who ran to him and embraced him, then to me, her incredibly beautiful eyes mirroring the gratitude she felt in my helping her loved one.
In the Dingo, I so often see acts of compassion, tenderness and kindness; characteristics so often lacking in our own society. Is it this distinctive quality that reminds man of his own inadequacies, jealously blinding him in a fury of brutality and hate for that which he cannot, or will not, accept? It is sad that the very qualities that endear the Dingo to so many are, through ignorance, the cause of much of the intolerance and. prejudice in others. Perhaps through a better understanding of the Dingo, we will better understand ourselves.
November 27, 2019
Napoleon (the Dingo) wins at Waterloo
Sydney Morning Herald Land Editor Peter Diegutis, 1978
There were hardly any signs of battle and certainly none of death when Napoleon turned up in Waterloo yesterday.
The noise and smoke (from cigarettes) were there, but Waterloo was the Hero of Waterloo Hotel, Millers Point.
Napoleon - a pure blood dingo - was a guest at the hotel for the launching of two new books by the ABC.
He was brought to Sydney with another dingo, Snowgoose, by Mrs Berenice Walters, of Bargo, to promote The Big Country, a beautifully illustrated book based on the ABC TV's documentary series.
One chapter tells of Mrs Walters's love for dingoes and her efforts to overcome prejudice against them.
Among other chapters are The Taipan Man, about Edward Ramsamy, a showman and authority on deadly snakes; A Brush With Royalty, which looks at the Brushmen of the Bush - five Broken Hill artists; and She Only Wanted to Fly, a story about Nancy Bird Walton.
Berenice recalled:
Preceding the official launching of the books an invitation was extended to Napoleon and Snowgoose to be interviewed on Channel 10’s Steve Raymond Show. An official car picked up our two stars, and handlers, and conveyed them to Channel 10.
The Dingoes having received their pampering before leaving, home, the handlers were treated to a ‘brush up' and make-up repair job. In the make-up room a gentleman’s loud voice was heard complaining that the b…….y Dingoes got a better brush up than he did – Bernard King. He was promptly informed by the Secretary that they did have more hair. Bernard King is a very nice guy and can always be relied on to come up with something funny to put people at ease.
The interviews went off really well, and sections have been used to advertise the show.
At 11 am our transport arrived and we wore whisked back to Sydney to the launching where Napoleon and Snowgoose were once again 'official guests’.
There were hardly any signs of battle and certainly none of death when Napoleon turned up in Waterloo yesterday.
The noise and smoke (from cigarettes) were there, but Waterloo was the Hero of Waterloo Hotel, Millers Point.
Napoleon - a pure blood dingo - was a guest at the hotel for the launching of two new books by the ABC.
He was brought to Sydney with another dingo, Snowgoose, by Mrs Berenice Walters, of Bargo, to promote The Big Country, a beautifully illustrated book based on the ABC TV's documentary series.
One chapter tells of Mrs Walters's love for dingoes and her efforts to overcome prejudice against them.
Among other chapters are The Taipan Man, about Edward Ramsamy, a showman and authority on deadly snakes; A Brush With Royalty, which looks at the Brushmen of the Bush - five Broken Hill artists; and She Only Wanted to Fly, a story about Nancy Bird Walton.
Berenice recalled:
Preceding the official launching of the books an invitation was extended to Napoleon and Snowgoose to be interviewed on Channel 10’s Steve Raymond Show. An official car picked up our two stars, and handlers, and conveyed them to Channel 10.
The Dingoes having received their pampering before leaving, home, the handlers were treated to a ‘brush up' and make-up repair job. In the make-up room a gentleman’s loud voice was heard complaining that the b…….y Dingoes got a better brush up than he did – Bernard King. He was promptly informed by the Secretary that they did have more hair. Bernard King is a very nice guy and can always be relied on to come up with something funny to put people at ease.
The interviews went off really well, and sections have been used to advertise the show.
At 11 am our transport arrived and we wore whisked back to Sydney to the launching where Napoleon and Snowgoose were once again 'official guests’.
