I believe this is one of the most touching pieces Berenice Walters, the
Dingo Lady ever wrote. It is about her first Dingo, Dora.
Berenice got Dora ‘no questions asked’ straight from the wild in 1974,
a time when Dingoes were considered noxious pests and vermin; to be killed on sight. Berenice narrowly dodged being gaoled and Dora destroyed such was the
law at the time.
Dora the Yellow Dingo
She was a wild bush baby. One day she would mature
into a glorious adult of yellow
gold.
Australia's national flower is the golden Wattle;
Australia's national colours are gold and green, Australia's Native
Dog is the golden Dingo.
But who among
us are even aware of this proud and
noble animal.
As she looks out into these strange surroundings,
fear dilates her eyes; rotate, her large nostrils twitch, as she nervously licks
her lips. Furtively she cranes her neck to seek a welcome dark corner into
which she could quickly melt.
Straight from the wild to a world full of humans; humans that she had
known from birth to fear and distrust.
Her human held her close, tears spilling down her
cheeks and splashing onto the yellow-grey fur,
tears of compassion for this small animal and for all her breed; tears of
humiliation and shame for the
atrocities and hate metered out to the wild dogs of the world; for the lack of
knowledge and blind legendary fear of this beautiful animal.
How strange that the dog, so often claimed to be
man’s best friend could also be so feared, so hated and distrusted; so
misunderstood, condemned without fair trial.
Could she ever forget her fears? To what degree
could she be domesticated? What hope was there for her and for her future offspring?
What could domesticity offer this proud and independent daughter
of the bush?
Finding a suitable name, one that would help promote a new and better
image for her breed became one of the first and most important tasks. Diana,
Ding Dong; Delilah, Catherine, Elizabeth, Margaret. Nothing seemed right.
Then "Dora", (straight from Dickens’s 'David
Copperfield’) suggested human No. 1.
“Dora” said human No.2. "That's a good old Australian name". He
had the Dora Dora blacks in mind.
So Dora it
was.
Dora had come into the world conditioned for life in the wild. No fears
had she for the birds, the animals, the rivers, the trees, the day or the
night. Only man so filled her wild little heart with such over-whelming fear; would
never fully trust him? Man with his domination, his strong voice, dark clothes,
man smell. Woman with her softer voice and smell would have a better chance of
penetrating this shield of fear, but Dora would never become a doting pet,
slavish in her devotion.
She would accept perhaps one, as her possible equal, be domesticated by
one who may be lucky enough to gain her confidence.
For that person there would be a delightful friendship, a unique love
and understanding; yet always a challenge. Those
who have attained this sublime state with the wild dog all agree no
relationship with any other dog is as exhilarating, or as rewarding.
Within days our delightful Dingo pup had settled in well. She watched
with growing interest the daily routine of training, feeding, cleaning and
brushing. She watched her mates, carefully copying their way of life. Her mouth
opened and shut like theirs did when barking, but no sound came forth. It would
be many moons before she would bark. Like all wild dogs she is virtually bark
less, barking only in the true biological sense, defence of the lair, or when
over excited. In the wild to be noisy could cost the lives of all.
Each morning she had a collar and lead put on and taken for a walk. When
some training was begun she growled loud and clear. When made to sit she
collapsed in a heap. After more than two minutes heeling she reluctantly hung
back.
Finally she accepted the woman as Boss; one way or another she had to
be obeyed. With the resignation of her breed she accepted this. She dropped to
the ground in submission.
Although Dora came to accept the family, all strangers were treated
with utmost suspicion.
At the sight, sound or smell of a stranger she behaved like a wild animal, hiding, peering anxiously out, nose quivering, head weaving from side to side endeavouring to catch a familiar scant, snorting and licking her lips, occasionally barking in a gruff “woof, woof”.
At the sight, sound or smell of a stranger she behaved like a wild animal, hiding, peering anxiously out, nose quivering, head weaving from side to side endeavouring to catch a familiar scant, snorting and licking her lips, occasionally barking in a gruff “woof, woof”.
In the car her head would weave from side to side taking in the myriads of
scents. Before long she would know when we were nearing home some 10 odd miles away.
She would suddenly tense as a recognised smell would bring her to her feet.
Surely this highly developed sense could be put to work for the good of
man in the course of police, army or customs work.
At six months of age beautiful
Dora was an adult. Her bright
yellow gold coat mirrored the sun. She moved with the grace and agility of a
cat, she could turn and twist like a whip. She played always gently, was never
aggressive. Obedience training classes helped her to accept strangers and their
dogs. With cattle she herded and worked with the skill of the Border Collie,
patiently but forcefully maintaining control.
Being an intelligent and curious animal trouble would have to
come in some form.
What better than
a bantam that dared to fly into the dog enclosure. Dora had treated the fowls with utter contempt as they flirted with death
busily engaged in feeding about six inches from the fence. The Cattle Dogs flew at the fence,
hurled themselves bodily at those chooks - who did not even raise their heads. Dora
completely ignored the performance.
However, when one flew into the yard she was ready. Instinctively she
herded it into a corner and dived in to grab.
Unfortunately
for her at the same time as her mate Juicy (a Cattle Dog) came thundering in from
behind sending her sprawling. Leaping to her feet she took off at top speed
with the terrified bird in her mouth followed by a pounding Cattle Dog and the
boss bringing up the rear yelling.
The bird was returned unhurt to the flock, unmarked but minus its tail
feathers which were hanging ludicrously from Dora's mouth giving her the
expression of a much surprised and bewildered professor.
If we could gaze into the future, we would see Dora, desperate for her
own kind, searching for a Dingo mate; deprived of her own kind frantically
trying to attract a male of the domestic breeds who under normal circumstances
would ignore her plaintive love.
There would be magic in the air, time would stand still, if a Dingo
should be brought to her at this time. They both would know; be it their scent,
or appearance, they would know they were two of a kind. Their whirling bodies entwined, clinging together in perfect
love and harmony, their affection and love complete in a devotion that has no equal,
and they would find paradise.
“Why has he left me", her grief stricken eyes would ask.
That night she will be restless, her puppies cry. No one will get much sleep.
What could the future hold for these pups born of domesticated parents
into the world of man?
Could they lead the way to a better understanding of this much maligned
breed? Conditioned at birth, carefully reared and trained, could their talents
be used for the betterment of man. Could they?
Oh, yellow dog, I pray for you and for your entire breed.
Dora’s full story is available through the website www.dinoglady.com.au. The story of her
son, Napoleon will soon be released also.
