Dog Master
By
Kevin L Fairbrother
Fifty dogs all different in shapes and sizes
The breed of which, impossible to tell
Their names known only to one person
The High Country dog master Irene
…
Only Irene can handle and work this team
For the dogs, trust and respect her
Their home in the bush above the house
In kennels of hollowed logs and steel
…
Heading, gathering or pushing from behind
In the yards or on their backs, the dogs win out
The commands yelled out amid the noisy barking
For the job gets done with the dog master, Irene
…
The hounds on the hill get excited and start baying
The rousers bounce and jump and stretch their leads
The horse all saddled, the men go forth with guns
It’s time to move out on a kangaroo hunt
…
Gathering or droving on the plains and in the hills
The dogs search the land where sheep will be grazing
The hills are alive with the sound of barking
They have found their quarry and gather them up
Push them towards their master Irene
…
Heading for home as the cold night draws down
The dogs panting and puffing shuffle behind
And along- side the horse and the rider Irene
Home on their leads with barking and yelping
Eager for a feast of deer and kangaroo
…
The cold night, the wind roaring a storm is brewing
It’s time to rest for the dogs and their master Irene
As they know the new day will bring more work
For a dog’s life is not easy with the dog master Irene
