BRUISER © His battle-scarred body lay in the shade on the cool verandah. A raised eye brow and one partially opened eye discreetly followed the movement of a passer-by. He was loyal and faithful, but could be spiteful if left home alone. Bruiser would bite his owner. Not enough to do any damage, but hard enough to let his owner know how he resented being left home alone. A stiff hind leg took time to regain flexibility after a long lie down, slowing his progress to the Landcruiser ute. Hed survived a snake bite on his top lip. Fights for male supremacy with Sam the Ridgeback have left gaps in Bruisers ears. Bruiser was the eldest of the pack of five dogs, three males, one female. He shared his life with his owner a man who, in spite of having a loyal partner, was really a loner. He worked in the bush maintaining windmills and pumps on a remote Kimberley cattle station which straddled the infamous Gibb River Road. Bruiser was always right there by his side, except when he was left home by his owner when his jobs took him out to the cattle yards or into town. Dogs werent allowed out in the yards. Dogs werent used to muster cattle, and would they cause too much excitement among the cattle held in the confined yards until they could drafted and tagged. Everything was done to prevent the stock being injured in any way. Bruisers all-knowing eyes belied his body language. You were either in or you were out. If you could be of any use to him, especially for food, hed be very attentive and affectionate, even licking your feet. If you ignored and rejected him, he didnt bite, but he immediately diverted his attention to the next person he chose to suck up to, and would turn his back in the most arrogant fashion with a snide look over his shoulder. Youre out!

But he would give up his life defending his owner without a second thought.

I thought you were talking about me.That story would be so true of many dogs.Mans best friend for sure.Cheers.Ibbo.....and thanks for that Chris.

ibbo wrote:

---

I thought you were talking about me.That story would be so true of many dogs.Mans best friend for sure.Cheers.Ibbo.....and thanks for that Chris.

---

You mean you would die for the Duck, Oh you poor delusional soul............LOL

 

I'm not sure about dying for the Duck, but most dogs have some degree of faithfulness and protective character, but Bruiser did it differently. He'd even bite his owner if Bruiser thought he'd done it wrong.

Cruising Granny wrote:

---

I'm not sure about dying for the Duck, but most dogs have some degree of faithfulness and protective character, but Bruiser did it differently.
He'd even bite his owner if Bruiser thought he'd done it wrong.

---

Yep Bruiser would bite his owner without causing any damage, the only way a dog can express his displeasure, no different to parents disciplining their kids but the same parents would fight to the death to protect them ( their kids that is). not being nasty here but that is called LOVE.

 

I had  a red healer very similar. He was as tough as nails and had scars everywhere from his many battles. His only fault was he was too smart for his own good , and sometimes it was a question who was playing with whom.He killed and ate a death adder, besides many possums, andother delectable things. survived to 14 and a half, and I still miss him. Bill

I've had my border collie dog "ben" for 8 years now, for along time I was worried he would run off if he got off his lead, which he did one day when I first got him, 8 years on I had a fall walking across the road, I just missed a gutter or step and took a tumble.. I lost my glasses and did some damage to myself and was having trouble getting up, to my surprise , Ben stayed right by my side, a guy came up and asked if i was ok and ben kinda groweld a little and stood right there, not leaving me, I was so proud of my best friend, even when he drives me nuts some times, I love him,..

Granny, I suspect, we all have a dog story. Your story reminded me of "Hassle", tough as steel, smart, independent, and would pull away from any affection, bush dog. Blue healer sort of, but definately 'best of the street'

You were 'in' or 'out' with Hassle. We were friends, as his owner is a best mate.

I thought the story may provide a little light relief. It's an excerpt from my book, "Love From The Wild".

Is your book avaliable? I like a good read while on the road.i din,t know you were related the Banjo paterson, or Zane Grey. Bill

I'm not related to any of the above. I'm the first in my line. - unique. My books aren't yet published. That's the hardest part of writing. The writing is easy, the publishing is another thing altogether. Still working on that.

Would you like me to do some proof reading? I love a ggod yarn and , being a fisherman, I can tell lies with the best of them. Ask a fisherman how big his fish was........

Granny it brought a tear to my eye. We lost our great mate a beautiful Staffy last year and still miss him like hell. Your story encompassed everything about a faithful or working dog. Thanks for bringing back to the front of my mind some memories of our lost mate.

Terro.