Back home...

We were away for a break last week, Farmer John and I. I know going bush is not everybody's idea of an ideal holiday, but I love it and was looking forward to the trip like an excited child.... looking forward to spending time out in the middle of nowhere, recharging the batteries surrounded by nothing but quiet. We never usually drag pets along on holidays, but since we were going bush, we decided to take our Nala dog with us after checking with the property owners that if it was ok. A few days roaming around in the bush would be fun for her as much as for us.

It is a good days drive from here to the Flinders Ranges. I love road trims and all went to plan.. Farmer John did the driving, while I had the luxury of just keeping us fed and hydrated (very important job) while watching the landscape slide by. From the station (Aussie term for very, very large farms) we bumped along a rather rough 4WD track for another 40min and arrived just as the sun was beginning to set. It was just as I had hoped for - perfect. A small (replica) shepherds hut, basic but beautiful, set in a creek bed and surrounded by large gum trees. The scene was set for a well deserved break.

Sadly it did not go like that at all and we are back home without our sweet Nala dog. She found and ate a dingo bait. It was horrible and so sad to watch our sweet girl die. She was only a year old and so full of life, everything was one big adventure for this puppy. She was so much fun and so clever, always active and kept us on our toes. But she is gone now. Needless to say we packed up and went home after having buried her in bush. It was awfully sad, but there was just no way we could even think about bringing her home.

I have picked up the flat balls, old knotted socks (her very favourite toy), sticks and at least a dozen pine cones that were scattered around the house. Everywhere feels so very quiet. I have lost pets before, but they have been old or sick and I knew it was time and the right thing to happen. It was sad but it didn't feel wrong. This is different. It feels so wrong. It did not need to happen. She may not have been with us for long, but she has left an awfully big hole in our hearts.


Rest in Peace Sweet Girl

Comments

  1. I'm so sorry to hear of Nala's passing. My thoughts are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, no. What a very sad story. The dog of a co-worker, and our faithful mate on many excavations, was poisened. It happened more than 12 years years ago and it wasn't my dog, but as soon as I hear about a poisened pet, I think of Scully. A big hug from the other side of the globe!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Anna,
    How horrible and too sad. I am so sorry.
    Janet

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Anna, how horrible. I have lost a dog to bait and it is not pretty, so I empathise and sympathise with you tearily, as my toy poodle cuddles beside me. The best medicine is to - figuratively - get back on the horse. Go and get another dog. I waited for several years but I regret it now. I still love and mourn my lost one but I adore my Charlie-girl. Hugs from both of us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A dog-less house is terribly quiet. We are definitely getting another dog but with two overseas trips planned for the next 6 months it will have to wait for a bit. Hugs to you and Charlie x

      Delete
  5. Anna, my heart goes out to you and the family, but especially to Nala.
    Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh.... heartbreaking.... I am SO sorry for your loss! And, I feel bad for the dingos, too. Poison is an awful way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  7. How very, very sad. So very sorry and my heart goes out to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Anna….I am so, so sorry..such a sad thing…….biggest hugs from us xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh no ...I am so sorry . Oh my heart goes out to you Anna ....thinking of you .

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anna, I am so sorry. Such a tragedy. My heartfelt condolences for you loss.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anna, I am so sorry. Such a tragedy. My heartfelt condolences for you loss.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anna, I am truly so sad for you. We lost a beautiful german shepherd Jessica, she had the colouring of a fox and 6 moths old. Poisoned by home invaders.
    You are so right we have had others, and you are prepared for their loss.
    27 years and I still miss her. Hugs Anna-Maria

    ReplyDelete
  13. I was so sorry to read of Nala's passing. This business of baiting and setting traps for animals is really barbaric practice; I work against it all the time in my area. And then to think of a pet falling victim is even sadder. I have lost animals before their time and it is indeed a wrenching experience. I will be thinking of you. Sarah, in Maine, US

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so much for all your sweet and lovely comments. I feel so thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful and caring people.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am so sorry to hear about your dog . . . I understand that ranchers have to protect their livestock (my husband raised goats, many years ago) but it is sad when innocent non-stock-threatening animals suffer instead. It doesn't matter how long you knew her; she was loved and she knew it, for as long as she had.
    And she was such a pretty dog!

    ReplyDelete
  16. So sad to hear about the loss of your dog. It is the worst feeling but each dog that we bring into our lives, leaves an imprint on our hearts and wonderful memories. My heart goes out to you.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts