Doggies of

2. Grande Dame Jenna

It was late spring 1994, and we had finally settled into our new home and Prince was already imposing pack leadership on us as only he could do this. One day, I was out and about looking after our front yard armed with my flat rake.

And then there she was – Jenna …………….she stood in front of me, feet firmly planted on the ground, confronting my action in our “own garden”! Properties at the upper end of Sunhill Road are not fenced and I found out that she hated rakes, and besides that, I was a newcomer in her extended territory. A massive 50 kilogram Rottweiler and Doberman cross with the head of the latter. She was pretty impressive yet not frightening. I answered her displeasure by touching down lightly at her forehead with my rake which she didn’t respond to happily at all …certainly my action was not received with delight.

That went on and on until “G” intervened, restoring residential peace by returning outraged Jenna to their residence diagonally opposite to our house. I soon learned that I had something to do to make good. Jenna used to make the most of “G’s” open door habit which was marked by a daily territorial control walk, including the checking of seven properties at the end of Sunhill Road .

Her favoured final stop was, after all, taking a rest in the middle of the intersection of Kalmia Ave and Sunhill Road which spot is just outside our side boundary. Residents’ cars were, by Jenna’s actions, requested to refrain from sailing past, and understanding residents going by, often dropped her treats.

Well, Jenna was the unchallenged local guardian of peace, and any other dog knew that respect was needed here as she had definitely established number-one-pack-ranking. Her early morning daily control mission eventually included visiting our home. After all, Jenna’s presence prevented any unknown ‘visitors’ offering unwanted calls to us.

Our newly purchased house required some maintenance and this meant in our case extensive indoor and outdoor painting. In the meantime a third dog, – Goldie – a Golden Retriever girl, had completed our pack of dog friends at our home. Their special interests focussed on my painting action – when I was easily to be cornered on top of a step ladder and all three dogs jointly rested underneath it, preferably leaning against the freshly painted wall. Apart from cleaning painting gear, dog-cleaning became a regular share of my efforts. Fortunately, I used acrylic paint which was easily remedied and removed by water and our dog friends were obviously happy with my efforts.

Time went on and unexpected events around Christmas time 1994 provided a pivotal event in our special relationship with Jenna. “G” and family were about to leave for a six week holiday trip to Europe when three days prior departure, the dog sitter had to cancel his commitment due to job constraints. Anxiety for “G” loomed as had to quickly find a host for Jenna in their absence – however, what are good neighbours for? We offered our unconditional help in that we’d be caring for Jenna whilst they were away from Australia.

This was the perfect solution in that Jenna would be staying at our place during the day and we would then return her home in the evening for food and night watch. We all enjoyed this arrangement and our relationship became very close. In the morning picking her up called for particular attention. In following me she got so excited that she bulldozed me from behind some two to three times straight through my legs, when I happened to receive an unexpected solo flight – all limbs up. Being in my sixties, I decided that this was most probably not an appropriate welcome procedure to benefit my aging bones. On future visits, as we made our way home, I rigorously forced her always to lead us.

Upon his return to Australia, Jenna gave “G” and family a weary look over her shoulder as if to say: “Well, guess I remember these guys”, which was not too well received! However, a couple of days of in-house arrest attuned her to her origins and her first family.

Nevertheless, triggered by this experience with us (and our two other doggie visitors Prince and Goldie), and having been a member of our family/pack for some weeks, Jenna’s recent experience left an indelible mark on her mind. For the following ten years she became a most regular daily visitor to our home which was strongly facilitated by the early morning open-door habit of “G”. Her obvious appearance at our entrance gate was never to be left unnoticed or even slightly ignored. Jenna would enter our courtyard and either stay there, or come into our home as she wished, as she would make a choice for an appropriate spot to rest. Most favoured areas for Jenna were my office or our kitchen. A regular phone call during those days to “G” was – “Please pick up Jenna we’ll be going to bed”, which was complied with immediately.

Occasionally, even at night Jenna would be overcome by an urgent desire to be with us which was made easier by said open door/back yard habit. Jenna could squeeze through a weak spot in a fence at will and she would get away without being noticed.

Arriving at our home any unimaginable time of night she regularly triggered the automatic entrance light which in turn almost always woke me up. I would open the gate, where she would enter the courtyard for a nap or she would sneak into my office where she would stay for the rest of the night. In the mornings, “G” almost got used to getting the surprise of Jenna’s unexpected absence.

If I slept in, Jenna apparently got very angry. Lining our entrance area there is a long brick trough lovingly and beautifully decorated with flowers and plants, to please us as well as any friendly visitor. Well, Jenna was always highly welcomed and she knew it all too well. An unanswered request for night entrance was highly inappropriate in her eyes, and she developed a pretty subtle way of conveying her displeasure by pulling out all the flowers and plants of said trough by piling them up next to the gate. The message was conveyed to us in no uncertain terms, Open the door or else !!! Well, our “else” was rather unexpected to her. We asked “G” for appropriate relief for us by stopping Jenna roaming her territory at night time, which was successfully achieved.

Jenna and Prince almost daily and jointly filled up our home, and got on well for years. What came though was a clear ranking status of the pack. Jenna was always number one and she and Prince respected each other by sharing this common ground for the next eight years.

In the early years of the second millennium, Jenna became pretty frail, with her aging mainly affecting her hind legs. Although barely able to move around, she unwaveringly kept visiting us. Every time she was about to approach our entrance we had to give her a helping hand to climb those two steps to the gate. Upon entering our home she would go straight for my office where she crashed down head first for her rest time, a bang which could be heard everywhere in the house – we would wince at that sound but it was her special visiting time and she was determined to be there.

On the occasion of my 70th birthday we held an “In Memorium of Prince” occasion as our beloved shared-dog-friend had passed away, and I was offered a very special gift from our sons – a gift of two very delightful Border Collie puppies, definitely not to be rejected.
However, the appearance of those two beautiful puppies triggered a tragedy of almost Greek dimensions as Jenna considered their arrival as being an unforgivable betrayal, and she was not in a forgiving mood at all. Although almost paralysed, she insisted on dragging herself daily to our entrance were she rested for hours, her back pointing towards the gate, and never accepting any offers of our strong affection to her. It was a heart breaking situation which lasted for weeks. Nothing could relieve her grief.

Finally after a couple of weeks a breakthrough came-and to us it was again an occasion of almost Greek tragedy dimensions again, however, this time it was a happy special occasion for us all. My wife and the puppies had passed our entrance well recognised by Jenna and they were enjoying chasing balls in the entrance area of Damper Creek Reserve only one house block away, when all of a sudden Jenna joined the party! Actually even frail to almost being paralysed she insisted on catching the ball once or twice prior to returning home. She totally disregarded the puppies keeping unwaveringly and appropriately offended, up to her last breath. They must not approach “Aunty” Jenna ever, which we and they respected.

Comfortingly for us, Jenna re-established her routine for a further couple of weeks which we gratefully welcomed. One day, after having had her regular snooze in my office, she accepted my helping hand to lift her up as I guided her on her arduous journey back home, just across the road. It startled me when I too realised how frail she looked. It was to be her final visit as the following day we received the call from “G” which we had long dreaded. Jenna was dying. We immediately hurried over to say goodbye to her. Although already unconscious it seemed that she acknowledged our final farewell visit which we were very grateful for, this last breath having conveyed her farewell to us as we stood weeping by her side.

How can we express our grief– we loved her so much. How painful it is to say goodbye. Jenna was a Grande Dame!

W&K B June 2011

4. Wheels, the Underdog

It was in the late period of Prince’s reign of our pack, when his family happened along a radical change. A new puppy, Wheels entered centre stage and on arriving by motor bike (tucked away in his master’s backpack) he become a permanent resident in Prince’s house and domain. A tiny puppy and safely delivered by motorcycle, he naturally and immediately was named “Wheels”. Well, we agree that it is somewhat peculiar name for a dog which one doesn’t think of at once, but on reflection the name is quite appropriate and fondly amusing.

Wheel’s source of origin was kept in the dark and it was obviously of no major interest really, but we wanted to have a guess. His breed was somehow dubious. He looked quite like a German Dachshund featuring straighter legs and a shorter body, being mainly black in colour. He was a very quick to grasp his new found role as a disciple of his master Prince who had imposed pack leadership with immediate effect when Wheels put his tiny paws into the realm of that household. That initiation nurtured a kind of brothers-in-crime relationship between the two dogs as Prince assumed the role as Wheels’ minder.

This was very soon experienced and observed by us, when Prince unable to jump a fence anymore, seized any open door opportunity to introduce Wheels to the wide world of self-determined chances. They would disappear from their home aiming straight for our promised land in Sunhill Road, just near Damper Creek Reserve. As mentioned in Prince’s tale, their home was located at the upper end of Simpson Drive, which meant crossing Stephensons Road on a daily basis under aggravated traffic perils. At least this was the case for adventurous dogs because they couldn’t operate the local pedestrian traffic light simply alone.

Well, Wheels still of puppy size and quite tiny, it was reported to us, that to cross this major busy road, he sneaked underneath Prince’s belly and by this special configuration they safely crossed Stephensons Road in a sort of formation walk. It was implied that it happened not only once and because it’s such a nice picture for our imaginations, it was eagerly accepted as a genuine performance.

However, only on the occasion of their first safe crossing of the main road did we learn about Wheels’ existence. An urgent call by “J” reported to us that Prince and his new puppy companion had disappeared, with “J” inquiring of their whereabouts hopefully for them to be found at our safe-dogs’ haven. Well, that’s how Wheels got introduced to our life which was highly welcomed. As anticipated, within a couple of minutes of that phone call, the gang-of-two showed up unhurt and an irresistible air of pride was seemingly conveyed to us by these two rascals of what we imagined to read from two dogs grinning at us as if to say, “Yes, we did it “.

Well, first of all minor hiccups spoiled the next round of welcoming procedures. Wheels, as a little puppy managed to sneak through the open grill gate into our courtyard and by this act he left Prince in front of that gate, temporarily locked out, and deeply upset and angry. The pack ranking had been offended which had to be punished immediately as Prince attacked Wheels upon his unruliness and roared at him. Subsequently, and as an act of protection towards the puppy, I grabbed Wheels in order to keep him from harm but was obviously not in accordance with my lower pack ranking as Mate. After all this altercation did pass thank goodness, and we managed to regain peace after chaos by respecting the relevant pack order in future, and without any of us coming to grief on that occasion.

Wheels learned his lesson and apart from growing to a slightly broader size which foiled him from slipping through the gate in the future, he became pretty observant in obeying the rules. Prince always showed remarkable dominance when both of them were visiting us. This went on and on, and their escapes from home were always announced by a phone call from an alarmed “J”, – “The dogs have gone, they might arrive at your place soon”, which they always did. We got well used to it! Wheels later moved also to Gippsland with Prince and “J’s” family, and Wheels became pack leader on his own merits after Prince died.

From our knowledge, Wheels is still alive and we are happy to remember him as a very smart and handsome boy. As we are still in love with him we say, keep going Wheels!

W. & KB July 2011

Memorium

In memorium – Mascot, Border Collie and Pack Leader – our beautiful Prince .

Mascot – brother of Ginger – was an extraordinary character. His attitude towards dogs and humans was easily matching “daddy’s”Mascot attitude, the assistant Pit Bull to Caesar Milan, the famous dog whisperer.

Mascot’s nemesis was found to be Shandy, and many times Mascot and Ginger had a “fur flying” experience with him, but it was just all noise and bluster, with Shandy being “rolled over” on occasions, having to take the message from the established “pack leader”. JE and KB and families were always on good terms and let the dogs sort things out for themselves, without incidence, which was a good idea.

Mascot’s health wasn’t of any concern until November 2011 when he was struck by the strange immune system illness Masticatory Myositis which was an extremely painful and distressing experience for him and us. Mascot couldn’t open his mouth at all and this determined how he was fed, by means of a syringe – but at that time without injections or intravenous feeding. Mascot was so co-operative and tried hard with all his might, as we too tried hard to help him .

The following months were marked by a couple of emergency events and some additional concerns. However, thanks to cortisone and the vet’s administrations Mascot appeared to make a recovery. Unfortunately Mascot started to lose his fur because of the treatments and his beautiful coat diminished in lustre.

Then in August 2012 we had to face the final change in fortune as advanced Malignant Lymphoma was diagnosed with no hope of a cure. The prognosis was days or weeks at best. We excluded chemotherapy treatments to gain a few more days and which would allow Mascot to enjoy his remaining days without further distress. All medication was suspended and unimaginable spoiling was applied. Day by day his condition was recorded and in co-ordination with the vet, it granted the best possible ease of living as he approached the brink of death.

Being so aware of his imminent ending we were lastingly focussed on taking some final photos of our beautiful boy. Mascot’s fur started to re-grow, he had lost some weight and he started to look more beautiful to us than ever before. However, he had other ideas. Whatever we tried for day by day Mascot would foil all attempts for us to take a picture as he would disappear and hide from us when he saw the camera. He seemed to be reading the mere thought of our intention to snap a photo so we gave up and as a result there are no pictures of his final days. We will now remember him in his full beauty prior to his illness. We think that he was trying to protect us.

However, given the earlier prognosis was that his days were not to be long, to our amazement Mascot enjoyed life from small milestone to small milestone – Spring, Summer, Christmas, New Year and on and on the days passed by. The vet pronounced a miracle!

We were controlling his wellbeing on a daily basis and as long as Mascot was free from pain and happy we too were watching closely. We had a threshold of any suffering he may be about to face and of which were not prepared to go beyond – we needed to protect him.

However, disaster soon struck. On 21 February 2013 a night of pure horror began but which we must not recall this in detail. In consultation with the vet we decided that it was time.

Upon arrival Mascot welcomed the vet himself, his beautiful trusting eyes looking upon him, and soon after Mascot died in peace as the syringe entered his body. All was done.

Ginger, his brother, always on low profile during Mascot’s period of suffering, refused to enter the dogs’ bedroom after Mascot’s death. He seemed to know. The bedroom had to be completely renovated anyway. Ginger took over as leader of our pack and got things straight within himself and with us.

Mascot’s ashes are resting in peace in our garden underneath a newly planted Jacaranda tree. We are missing him with an aching heart. Goodbye our beautiful prince. But it was wonderful to have been given the time we shared with him.

KB & WB
Spring 2013.

8. Mack of Sunhill Road

Woof, woof! I was Mack, a Golden Labrador who travelled, by Qantas airlines, from Sydney to Melbourne in 1996. My new owner Barry, met me at Tullamarine and brought me to the green areas of Sunhill Road, Mt Waverley, and I was especially lucky to be near the Damper Creek Reserve. I was there I made many friends, both dogs and their owners.

Like my predecessor, Max, I enjoyed working bees, when the biscuits were forthcoming from many of the workers. Although I could not pull weeds or help plant grasses and shrubs, I enjoyed being a supervisor and I welcomed the volunteers who always gave me lots of pats.

I accompanied my owner Barry, for many many hours, as he spoke to people who walked their dogs in the reserve. It was through his efforts that I, together with and other dogs, have been able to run leash free, in Damper Creek Reserve. I was a very obedient dog and Barry new the rules of voice control and picking up after me, and explained all this to other dog owners in the reserve. On those bushland tracks, with the wind in my hair and my ears flying, my nose upwards and sniffing the air, I thought that this was the best life for a dog.

As old age crept up on me (my owner too), and arthritis attacked my joints, I still managed to slowly walk to the edge of the reserve in those later years. I really need those chats and pats!

DHH 7 Sep 2011

10. Peppi

Peppi – our joyous Standard Poodle. (1999 – 2012)

PeppiPeppi’s name was chosen to match his peppy nature. As a puppy he had very long legs and reminded his owners of a tiny giraffe, all legs, although very agile and not at all awkward or clumsy. Peppi almost pranced around looking beautiful with his soft white fur brushed and with ears flowing. He just fitted into home life, so easily.

A true friend of Damper Creek for nearly 13 years, Peppi was intelligent, quirky and affectionate, and he was always ready to duck his fluffy head forward for a gentle hand pat. Looking his very best on his daily “promenade” he always gave his special friends a joyous greeting. “S” brushed him every day, and Peppi enjoyed his regular visits to the groomers. “S” and “R” believe that Peppi had a very dignified image of his own well groomed beauty and he was well trained, but it was never in his owners’ minds for him to be a show pony. Peppi just wanted to be, and definitely was, everyone’s friend.

Peppi’s very best girlfriend was Lil, a kelpie x border collie, and they often met in Damper Creek reserve. Surprisingly, they were a fairly even match when chasing Lil’s ball. When Lil’s owner would swing the ball into the distance, Lil always made it first to the ball, but Peppi’s astute strategies allowed her some ball-time on the way back. Peppi would watch for an opportunity to distract Lil, and then off he would fly with the ball back to Lil’s owner for another go. It was great fun for both, with seemingly perfect doggie co-operation, and all in good humour.

Another friend for Peppi, who he also often met in Damper Creek on daily walks, was Ginger a handsome border collie. Ginger is shy and tentative and very private but somehow Peppi became a truly worthwhile and accepted friend. Peppi’s willing and relaxed friendship towards Ginger, won the day.

After Peppi’s daily walks in Damper Creek with “S”, and having so much fun time with his dog friends, on arrival at home his VIP friend “R” would greet Peppi with a tasty nibble. A memorable routine in the late evening would be for Peppi to collect a dog biscuit from the kitchen, after which he would lead the way with “R” and “S” following him down the passageway to bed. Peppi would make sure that they were safety tucked in, and he would faithfully guard his owners throughout the night.

The mornings were sometimes a good natured challenge for “R” who perhaps would have liked a longer sleep-in, but Peppi would joyously visit “R” and make the decision to playfully pull the blankets off him, thereby saying “time to greet the day”. “R” also enjoyed lunchtimes with Peppi and it was well established that a cheese sandwich should be shared. If this was not immediately forthcoming, Peppi would put his long nose and furry ears through the pages of the newspaper to say to “R”, “okay, time to share your cheese with me”.

One special memory of Peppi was when “S” took him along to visit an elderly friend who was in residence at an aged care facility. Peppi was gentle and friendly with everyone, and amused many of the elderly folk when some thought that in his winter coat, he was mistaken for a Shetland pony. On another occasion one elderly gent (who had never spoken to anyone since admittance to the care facility), was so delighted to see beautiful Peppi, that he astounded his carers by speaking for the very first time. Peppi was such a beauty and his engaging nature was a very special gift of delight to those who met him.

Heartbreakingly for his owners and all who knew him, Peppi departed this world suddenly just a few days ago, and it is for sure that he is, and will be, greatly missed.

18 April 2012

12. Buddy – the best companion – and tennis lover too

My mistress is my best friend and she says I am the same for her – we are constant companions and we are with each other all day. I am a well behaved travel companion in the car too. I go everywhere, even to the tennis club nearby where I am a special, albeit unusual Club member, and well loved by everyone. I will tell you my story.
About four years ago when I was only twelve months old, I found myself waiting anxiously and nervously at the RSPCA pound for someone to like me, and that was the day my mistress chose me and took me to her home. I have been showered with love and affection, nourishment, training and many daily walks in Damper Creek Reserve, ever since.

I apparently was quite a handful when I first started going for my walks in Damper Creek, as I had no idea about obedience and I would just pull my mistress along with my lead as I followed another dog, or an interesting sniff, bike rider, or jogger. I was really very scared of joggers or any rapid movements, so my only communication was to say “go away” with my bark, but now as I stay on lead always, I feel very safe, as my mistress shows me what I am meant to do.

My dog friends in Damper Creek are “Lady”, “Maggie”, and “Ginger” all border collies like me, as well as “Mick” a “retired” working dog.

My mistress tells friends with a wry smile about the deep scratches on top of her nice coffee table at home, for when I was first with her, I heard a sharp noise outside the house, and I just took off and scratched the top of the coffee table in my stride. I am much better behaved these days, although my mistress says at times, that I can still be a work in progress. She understands me and protects me.

I have a proud and happy incident of which to tell you. In the early days of being with my mistress, I would try and pull the lead too hard if I saw joggers particularly on weekends, as we walked in Damper Creek. Just for a change we once tried out a new place to walk at Mt Waverley near the oval and the tennis club. As my mistress had, over thirty years ago, been a good tennis player but had let participation lapse, she stopped to look at the courts with me by her side. As she stood there pondering over the past enjoyment of the days when she once played regular tennis, by chance a very welcoming lady from the tennis committee called out to us and asked if she may be of assistance.

My mistress explained her interest in tennis but said that she was already a “geriatric” to which the cheerful lady replied laughingly, “don’t worry we are all geriatrics here”. What she was really saying, is that you are never too old to have a go. The rest is history. My mistress has now played tennis at that Club for the past two years, and I feel that I too am a fully accepted member. Everyone loves me and I can happily sit on my warm mat near the courts as my mistress plays her matches, and one or other of the ladies will hold my lead. The Club ladies would not hear of me waiting in the car, as they have welcomed me totally into the group. We all benefit from this wonderful happening as my mistress tells me that I introduced her back to playing tennis. I like to see my mistress laugh and I keep her days happy. This photo takes pride of place in our lounge room.

By “Buddy”, 5 June 2013 (my official 5th birthday)

14. Toby

“Toby – a country doggie at heart”

Hi, I’m Toby and at the time of writing I’ve been walking in the Damper Creek reserve with my owner for five years.

I was born in the country, up near Romsey, so for the first eight weeks of my life I could roam the farm with my mum, dad and eight brothers and sisters. Moving to the city was a big change – a new family, no more puppies to sleep with…and no more farm, even though my back yard is pretty big.

Those first weeks were a big adjustment – I found it hard to sleep, unless my new ‘mum’ was cuddling me, but eventually they got me a teddy bear which solved that problem.

I guess I missed the country, too, so imagine my delight when a few weeks later I got my first walk around the Damper Creek track! It was almost as good as being back in the country…and I could even walk off the lead, which meant I could explore properly and investigate all the good smells (as well as scoff down the occasional lunch thrown into the bushes by kids on their way to school). Heaven! Here is Toby swimming in the country (and well away from Damper Creek).

A few nervous weeks later and I had graduated ‘top of the class’ from puppy school, giving my new family confidence that they could walk me off lead without having to worry about the occasional nervous walker, and so it became a daily ritual.

Now, mum and I walk there virtually every morning. She enjoys the stroll and meeting the other dog walkers, while I enjoy sniffing my way around and saying hello to my doggie friends like Lady, Buddy, Max and others, although as their owners will attest, I am really more interested in making friends with them than playing with the other dogs…I just can’t pass up a good pat.

We make a special stop every day at Maggie’s back yard so my mum can have a cuddle through the fence, and Maggie and I like to play when she’s on my side . Ginger also happily ignores me when he sees me, now that Mascot is gone – he didn’t really want to socialize, and I understood that – but their owners are my very special friends; sometimes they even stop their car to say hello to me, and I look for them whenever I am out in the street.

I am lucky enough to go to the country on holiday quite often and I love running the paddocks, herding the occasional sheep or cow, chasing swallows and defending my family from the cockatoos who try and land in our gum trees. But I am used to living in the city and enjoy my life, especially my walks at Damper Creek…and my nightly naps on mum’s bed.

RF – 17 Sep 2013

16. Jackie the Jack Russell

My name is Jackie and I am about three years old. I really belong to “T” within my family as I was a Christmas present. “T” wanted a cat to be lazy with but I was chosen because I won’t cause any allergies to my extended family.

I was purchased from a pet shop and at that time there was a Christmas sale of many pets. When I started to play with “T”s shoe laces, I won his heart. I am a Jack Russell terrier cross, white with brown markings and I have very soft ears. I sleep on “T”s bed and sometimes in the mornings I sit on my mat in the kitchen with my head on the side looking irresistible, then “T” can’t help but give me a treat.

About two years ago when walking near the main pond in Damper Creek Reserve with “T” and his mum late evening, we all spotted a young teal duck with a discarded plastic ring around its neck. “T” tried to hop into the main pond to rescue the duck but there was a huge amount of flapping of wings and it was impossible to get hold of it. I sat on the edge of the pond barking instructions. “T” and his mum called an animal rescuer next morning and the duck was rescued with some nets we purchased from the Two Dollar shop. The rescuer helped remove the plastic ring from the duck’s neck and I am very proud of my family for saving the duck.

“T” says that I keep him company and we watch TV together and I get him out of bed to do more exercise because I like walking in Damper Creek Reserve with him.

Being a pup of few words, read more on my duck rescue story in the Friends of Damper Creek Reserve Newsletter “Damper Creek Doings” March 2011 in the article “Duckling Rescue in Damper Creek”

By Jackie
28 Sep 2013

18. Lily – one lucky doggieLily

Hello. My name is Lily and I have now lived in Mount Waverley for around eighteen months. I am a Springer Spaniel X Labrador. My doggie parents adopted me from Victorian Dog Rescue when I was six years old, as I had not had a very happy life prior to that, having lived with very little human contact. I am such a happy girl now and, of course, my favourite reserve is Damper Creek where I am allowed to run free, chase balls and talk to all my doggy friends with their human owners.

I am at Damper Creek Reserve nearly every day, and two walks at that, which take nearly an hour by the time we all stop and chat to everyone. I didn’t know that life could be so wonderful. I have been on a number of holidays already, caravanning in other states of Australia. One of my memorable experiences, if not a bit frightening, was finding out that I could actually swim. We were all walking along a surf beach on the Southern New South Wales Coast, with me chasing my ball, when I attempted to retrieve it as a large wave swept the ball and me back into the ocean. I swam like crazy. But then I discovered that swimming was pretty good (well, I am part Labrador). That means that I am tempted to have a paddle in rivers, dams, and fish ponds if I’m not watched but my doggie parents have me well trained.

My doggie parents did go away recently and couldn’t take me with them. I was a bit unhappy at first but my doggie minders came to housesit and still took me walking each day, mainly to Damper Creek Reserve. My next holiday is to Tasmania for six weeks which means a boat trip on the ‘Spirit of Tasmania’, so another adventure awaits.

My predecessor, Lil, lived to 16 years of age, and I hope to do the same at least. The food here is great, although I have put on a little bit of condition since living here. I just say “it is all muscle though”. My human sister has two Greyhounds so we visit them and they come to our house, so that’s why I greet other Greyhounds especially.

When I was first adopted, a man said to me “you’ve won Tattslotto, dog”. He was so right. I am one lucky dog.

W & R 8 March 2018

20. Roger

I am an attractive little grey Schnauzer. I was formerly known as “Rajar” which means “noble ruler” and, yes, I was treated like a Prince by the young couple who were my previous owners. However, one day my idyllic life of being the “head” of that household changed as their brand new baby boy arrived home, to which event I did not take well to – I barked and barked and barked to gain back all the attention I once had, now to be shared with a new arrival into our beautiful home.

In hindsight I must have been suffering high anxiety and I became sad, and yes, I continued to bark and bark and bark. I probably needed some doggie counselling to get my head straight!

However, things needed to change for everyone and at the age of 7 years, an older couple visited my home and some talking took place and the word “adoption” was overheard by me. Before I knew it, I was introduced to “Halvies” (much bigger than me but very kind) who was waiting outside in their car so I sat next to him in the back seat. It had been arranged that I was to become his companion and it all felt good. It felt very good.

It’s been three years now and I haven’t needed that counselling mentioned above and I have stopped my incessant barking. My name has been changed to “Roger” as a fresh beginning. I love my new home and my new owners and the loyalty and love I receive from “Halvies” is exceptional. I know statistically two male dogs don’t normally get on, but we have never had a cross bark. I’m still sometimes a bit naughty and mischievous and when walking in Damper Creek, which I love, I will briefly disappear following a sniff of something exciting coming from behind bushes or trees but “Halvies” is so loyal he just sits and waits until I reappear. I never really go far away.

I’m so very happy now. Incidentally my previous owners still want to see me and sometimes visit which is very nice of them to care so much about me but I make sure that I sit well away from their car when they are about to leave, and they understand and know what I am thinking. They smile and wave and so do I.

Written by Halvies and Roger – 31 May 2018

24. Stanley, 25. Danny, 26. Linus, 27. Stanley the 2nd, and 28. Rosie

Stanley was a grey and white Cocker Spaniel. He sometimes sat in the middle of the road and did not budge for oncoming cars – they just drove around him. When we built our house in the mid 1960’s we had to have a “dunny” in the backyard. Stanley used to circle the Nightman barking at him and he also disliked a visit from the Briquette Man. Fortunately, never an accident occurred.

Danny was a Golden Cocker Spaniel who was a great companion.

Linus was coloured a reddish dark brown with white, and he was named after an early Pope. Linus was a shy, gentle dog shown in the photo dressed up for Cint’s “pink” party.

Stanley the 2nd was a black and white Cocker Spaniel who had been Pa’s dog. Stanley the 2nd lived very happily with Linus.

Rosie seen in this photo, was a chocolate brown curly coated Retriever which we named “The Great Escapee”. Rosie was an 18 month old rescue dog from the RSPCA and she joined our family in April 1996. One neighbour remarked that “Rosie is the only dog I have seen walk on the top of the paling fence like a cat!” No matter what we did to keep her in – including to build the fence higher with chicken wire above and below it, she still managed to escape. One of Rosie’s more notorious escapades was that she entered a neighbour’s home via their back door and promptly devoured the recently baked afternoon tea cake.

Rosie loved her twice daily walks in Damper Creek Reserve especially if she met Barry and “Mac”. She loved the people and children she met along the way and the pats she received from them. Despite the many escapes, Rosie lived to be seventeen years old.

LP 20.7.18

30. Leila

Leila – a SchnauzerMy name is Leila and I am a three-year-old Miniature Schnauzer and I am going to tell you about my visits to Damper Creek Reserve. I am incredibly lucky in that I am able visit Damper Creek two and maybe three times a day (my home backs onto the Reserve)

My first visit was on the very first day I came to live in Mount Waverley, I was about 12 weeks old. At first I was only allowed on “The Backs” – that is the area behind about four houses on Stephensons Road and Denise Court that back on to the Reserve. It is a grassed area, which is regularly mowed by the Council, so it was a perfect place to learn to play ball with my Dad. That is a lot of fun. I am also taught tricks and how to behave in the reserve.

Not long after that my Mum and Dad took me for walks down on the paths of Damper Creek and it was on these trips that I meet the majority of my friends and their owners. They are good friends. My friends are Lady, Maggie, Lily, Jasper and Mascot. There are really so many dogs that visit that I can’t remember all of them just now. There is one thing we have in common. WE ALL LOVE DAMPER CREEK and we are allowed off leash. That is soooo much fun. We run and sometimes play together.

Just recently Mum and I have been going down to the creek and already this year we have spotted one mother duck and six babies (Mum says they are called ducklings). Each day we go down we count the number of ducklings because sometimes they can be taken by foxes. We could sit and watch them for ages. Mum says we have to be quiet and not scare them.

I get really excited when we get to the fork in the paths and Mum says we will go and see if Lady is home. I can’t help it – I just take off and run as fast as I can to see if she is there. One day in the early days Mum said ‘Lady, Lady come out to play’ …and guess what the back gate opened and out came Lady with her owner. How good is that?

My Mum and Dad take turns walking me. We are all members of Friends of Damper Creek, so when Dad takes me I spend a lot of time exploring whilst Dad bends down and starts pulling out weeds. He has shown me many times what weeds are. There is a very sticky one that Dad is always pulling out and if you bend down to get a closer look it will stick to your face. I am very careful not to do that. Once is enough.

Guess what! Dad and I found a kookaburra on its nest and we have been watching it for awhile and now, and … the other day we saw that the egg had hatched. Dad took his camera down and was able to get some photos of them. Dad is going to put the photo in the Damper Creek Reserve newsletter

(Damper Creek Doings). If you like you can go down and see this on the Notice Board.

Dad saw a Pacific Heron and was so excited because they don’t usually come to Damper Creek. We also saw six turtles sunning themselves. There is so much to see.

People ask me what my favourite place is in the park and I would have to say it is my rock. It is near mushroom rock. The reason I like it so much is because if I am a really good dog on my walk, then on the way back home I run up and stand on my special rock and Mum or Dad will give me some treats. I get three treats if I have been exceptionally well behaved, two when I have been good and only one if I haven’t been very good at all. One day I got on the rock and Mum said ‘No treats today…you know what you did.’ I have to tell you I only ever did it once, and Mum was quite right it wasn’t very ladylike and I will never ever do it again.

Anyway here is a photo of me on my special rock – I wonder if you know where it is?

So all in all I have a great time in the reserve and look forward to my trips everyday. And you never know I may even see you on one of my walks…if you do see me, please say hello… I love to meet new friend.

Bye for now

Leila xx

32. Sammy and 33. Sassy

I like to imagine my two Aussie Terriers, Sammy and Sassy, chatting in Doggie Heaven, happily relaxing on a sunny day. They shared their long and happy lives with us………

Sassy: I still think the Christmas BBQ in Damper Creek Reserve beats anything we have up here. If you got there on time there was plenty for everyone.

Sammy: Mmmmm, and you Sassy, known affectionately as the resident ‘always hungry puppy’, did just that.

Sassy: How could we not with all that yummy food on offer; sausages, chops, hamburgers with the lot and Christmas cake to follow. Everything was provided as a thank-you to all the environmental volunteers and our owners. All was organised by the Friends and supported by the Council. I think with pleasure to the once a year treat of jam and damper cooked by Jeannette and Kevin, pieces of which managed to find their way under the table or at my feet.

Sammy: I remember when we first came to Damper Creek as puppies and were welcomed by all our doggie friends.

Sassy: So much space to RUN off leash, up and down the grass covered hills.

Sassy: We have been reunited with our friends:Mascot,Peppi, Prince, Max, Ruffy and even Jenna who kept a watch on everyone.

Sammy: Doggie Heaven has brought them here, so we don’t miss Damper Creek Reserve as much.

Sassy: But we can still watch what’s happening down below.Up to the time of the Pandemic early this year, the Friends were still having monthly working bees, tidying, weeding and planting.

Sammy: I liked watching the ducks who kept an eye on us taking a keen interest in their brood of tiny ducklings.

Sassy: I cannot recognise the big, new bridge under which I would find an endless supply of wrapped sandwiches tossed out by school kids who didn’t like their cut lunches.

Sammy: Mmmm, and you never learned not to give them to be unwrapped to ‘Mum’ who always put them into the bin.

Sammy: Yes, I never learned

Sammy: Never mind Sas. You’re never hungry here.

Sassy: But I still miss Damper Creek Reserve, the most delightful place to live.

C&JE August 20

35. Kevin

Kevin, our beloved one year old Kelpie, has a deep-red fur coat and big soft ears. He is a beautiful companion and always stays close to our family members. In our eyes, Kevin is quite a movie star as our children named him after Kevin in the movie “Home Alone”, and he also looks exactly like the much-celebrated Kelpie in the film “Red Dog”.

Kevin is intelligent and inquisitive and besides adoring his ball and ball games, he also loves to solve puzzle games by seeking out food treats hidden somewhere in a tea towel.

Damper Creek Conservation Reserve is such a beautiful place for both of us to exercise and of course being a responsible dog owner, I pick up after him. We are always mindful of the vegetation and regrowth, so I watch him closely.

Kevin loves his regular walks along Damper Creek, meeting up with his canine friends.

27 October 2021