An excerpt from Peter Rake's debut novel, 'The Outback Story - The Loves and Adventures of 'Tiger' Williams' ...
"I've got a dog," Steve said, hastily adding, "She can stay in the vehicle if you want, but she doesn't run about - won't get into any mischief."
"She's alright. Baker told me about her. Reckons she is something special, not like an ordinary dog, he said."
Steve looked at Lindy who was just a curious at the thought that her father would bother to explain a working dog to anyone when he had rang Brady Sands to guarantee the purchase if it transpired. Neither had realised that Mr Baker had been watching Freda very closely, and had made up his mind that she was no ordinary dog.
"I believe that she's a bit of a hero, and you too, young fella, but I'd like to hear the true story if you feel like it."
Lindy went around the ute and stood with Steve as he did a proper introduction, and Freda 'asked' if she could get out as well.
"Yeah she's alright, let her out," Brady offered affably.
Freda jumped from the seat, went to the front of the ute and relieved herself, out of sight of the humans and came around to sit at Steve's feet.
"Do you want to go over to the house with my missus, Lindy?” Brady asked.
"I'd rather see the horses, if I may," Lindy replied.
"Yeah that's alright with me. Come over to the stable."
As they headed off towards the horses, Brady made a comment.
"The dog looks well trained Steve. You haven't said a word to her and she is behaving as though she is on lead."
"Her name's Freda. Freda knows what to do. She learnt her lessons from Ian McLennan's dog, over on Isis. But I reckon that she knew what was what before she could run, just needed a bit of explaining from another working dog, that's all," Steve said. He did not feel that he was boasting, just stating facts.
Have you ever had a dog, or another animal, in your life who is smarter than people expect?
