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PUPPIES 4
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Australian Silky Terriers
AUSTRALIA
REBEL COME BACK
After a rather sleepless night of watching
and waiting and feeling and touching, signs of a heavy contraction finally
appeared. "C'm on baby push, good girl push"
It was Good Friday, April 1, 1983 and after the usual anxiety of waiting and
praying Sissy whelped her four beautiful babies. After the long hours it was
a relief to see the four little tykes nursing contentedly.
The immediate question sprung to mind. What are we going to name them? Will
it be a religious name or an
April Fool's name? Days went by and finally we settled for Luke, the only
boy in the litter, and Rebecca and Ruby. It was a pleasure to watch them day
by day growing and developing. It was rather partial to the name
Rachael, however, I had promised a show quality bitch to a lady who had
approached me at show and she happened to like the name Rachael. In due time
decisions had to made. I decided to keep a boy and a girl so needless to say
Luke and Rebecca were to become part of the growing family while Rachael and
Ruby went off to new homes.
In the subsequent months training and grooming and trimming all fell into
shape. Rebecca had became my shadow by this stage and was never more than a
couple of feet away from me when I returned from work. She was a wary girl,
but soon settled to new experiences as long as I was in sight.
Along came the day when it was time to show so at six months of age, we
booked a show up country at Shepparton, where we would fit in two purposes,
showing and visiting with friends in the area. Other visitors were expected
as thy were passing through and said they'd
drop in to the show.
Up and away at 5am. we would be there in plenty of time to do the
finally grooming and settling in with perhaps a couple of practices
before show time. Mom and Dad (Barney and Sissy) plus Luke and Rebecca, who
by this stage got the name of Rebel, as she had a mind of her own, were all
groomed and ready. Our visitors arrived and looked over the brood. "Don't"
anyone touch the little bitch okay.
She isn't used to it yet and I don't want her to get a fright". These words
came back to haunt me for some months to come.
Five to nine, "Good boy Luke, settle".
"Allan, quick your little bitch has gotten away". It was Kay
MacGregor
another exhibitor. "Here give me your boy".
Panic, anxiety, desolation, how do I describe the emotion as I ran in the
direction of our tent. How did she get out? Where is she? What happened?
"There she goes, she running across the highway", I don't remember who said
it as my feet flew in pursuit. I caught a glimpse of her as she ran through
a car yard.
"Rebeeeeeeeeellllllllllllll come back".
She darted under this car and that and ran out a side gate. Did she hear me?
I ran down the street calling her name to no avail. I couldn't see her
anywhere. I ran and ran and ran. It seemed like hours. My heart pumped
uncontrollably and I gasped for breath as the tears took over. Oh my God my
baby?
By this stage Bruce and Judith Evans bless her heart caught up to me and we
searched again. After what seemed an endless time we slowly walked back to
the showgrounds.
How did it happen? I needed some questions answered as I had left for the
rings with Luck and Reb was secure in her pen waiting for me to come and get
her for her class.
One of our visitors who had been familiar with our older dogs decided to
take her out and walk her on a lead. As she walked the other exhibitors the
owners of an Airedale Terrier decided to spark up her dog by using Reb as
bait. Rebel naturally pullback and slipped the lead, a costly lesson (
two fingers under the lead , I guess not.)
Our friend was as devastated as we were. We packed our belongings and spent
the rest of the day until duck driving the streets and inquiring of anyone
anywhere if they had seen a silky in the area. We drove home to Melbourne
and talked over the plan of action.
The next day we drove back to Shepparton and contacted all the vets in the
town. We left poster where we could, advertised on the radio and television
with her description and were in touch with local ranger and town office.
Every weekend from October to December we made the trek to Shepparton. Bruce
went on 3 occasions during the week as people rang to say that it was our
dog they had seen. One was a Pomeranians killed at a level crossing. Another
was a Collie tied up in a shed and the closest to a silky was a Australian
terrier running with a herd of cattle out Dookie way. One particular weekend
we had the river banks flushed using foxies but still no Rebel. By December
the ranger knew we would never stop looking and convinced us to stay at home
and he would do all he could if there was a sighting. I made one last
attempt as we were told she would come out at dawn along the riverbanks to
forage for goodness only knows what. Annette my dearest friend and owner of
Rachael, drove with me leaving Melbourne at 2 a.m so that we could find her
at dawn. Nothing!
Months passed and always in the back of my mind were the questions, where is
my little girl is she dead or alive?
As uncannily as it may seem, on an evening in May seven Months later, I was
sorting out pedigrees and registrations and came to Rebel's. With tears in
my eye I was about to rip it up as I could bear no longer to look at it.
Ring Ring went the phone.
It's Archie here ,the ranger from Shepparton. I'm 99% sure I have your
silky".
"What Are you joking? I don't believe this. Are you sure?"
"Well she may not be in the shape she was when she ran away, but I'm sure
it's her. this Aborigine has been trying to catch her for months but he
couldn't get near her. We found her in a possum trap over by the caravan
park. I guess she was looking for food and went in".
"Tell me something. Does the hair on the bridge of her nose stand up?
"I couldn't say for sure, she has burrs hanging from her top knot and her
coat is a bit of a sight, she's vicious and you won't get near her so be
prepared. We had to prod her to get her into a pen".
"Okay, well when can I come and have a look? Right, I'll be there before you
open in the morning".
Neither Bruce nor I could believe it. Bruce went off in a hurry to the
vets for some tranquillizers and the hard wear for some leather gloves. If
she was feral come hell or high water I was bringing her home. In my mind I
didn't believe it as I always said if she was within earshot she'd come to
me. In the meantime I rang work and said I was unwell and I wouldn't be in
in the morning. What's a little white lie, well not really I was unwell
wasn't I?
Leaving at 6:30 in the morning, we arrived in Shepparton in plenty of time
My friend Dolly who had relative in Shepparton came for the ride. On the dot
I opened the door to the shire offices and walked in. After a short
conversation with the reception list, she contacted the ranger and informed
me that hey would be there within minutes.
As I stood anxiously waiting a buzz went around the office and all eyes
seemed to look my way. Five minutes later after what seemed like an hour,
the back door opened. I could see a stockily built man carrying a cage. My
heart leapt to my mouth. I caught a glimpse of her. "Oh God, Rebel, Rebel,
Rebel." An immediate response came as she waggled her whole body. The cage
was put on the counter. The ranger opened it and leapt my Rebel, straight
into my arms, paws digging into either side of my neck as the tears flowed
down my face wetting her coat.
For a moment all self control was out the window so to speak and I struggled
to gain my composure. I settled the formalities and walked out of the shire
office floating on air with my precious Rebel still clinging body and soul
to me.
Rebel was back!
By Allan Caverley,
Canaussie; Australian Silky Terriers
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