I am up in Tenterfield babysitting Michael and Kathy’s menagerie while they visit Gundagai for a few days.

It is cool up here but fine and sunny. The trees are changing colour in a spectacular way….perfect autumn.

A note for Kathy and Michael…….

All is well on the home front.

The escapees have been trying, but are now sleeping peacefully.

The chooks have been just let out for a short pick. I see what you mean by the charge to the dog food, and the scratching of the garden !!! Sorry.

Mac Attach is asleep in the front garden, Bo is off exploring somewhere while Bae has given up on the game of meowing at the front door to be let in and once in, running back out the cat door, only to meow 2 minutes later to be let in again. After a few repeats of this I caught on to the game and she has given up now and is sleeping next to me.

The sun is still shining, but it is turning cool so have just lit the fire.

Have taken a few photos to reassure you all is well.

 

Two of my charges are Jack and Milly, the two Maremma Sheepdogs. They are very special. Although the Maremma Sheepdog is classed as a rare breed in Australia it has been known in its native Italy for 2000 years.

The main function of the dog was to guard the flocks against wolves and bears, and more recently from thieves and wild dogs. The dog was left to use his own initiative in making decisions and that sense of independence is still strong in the dogs of today. In Australia, where the Maremma Sheepdog has been used as a stock guardian, farmers have reported a 35 percent reduction in losses from foxes, wild dogs and birds of prey.

Jack and Milly guard the cats and chooks !!!