A Special Memory of Dingoes

This was an extraordinary moment for me I will never forget. The dingoes in these photos were pups born in 1996 at the Merigal Dingo Sanctuary. 

At the time the sanctuary was only breeding stock for other sanctuaries and zoos. This litter of three girls (Keli, Mirri, and Narra) was selected by Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo for the new Dingo enclosure.

I had spent a lot of time with these pups and had the pleasure of being at the sanctuary when their handlers came to collect them.

Two years later, while attending a conference in Dubbo, I contacted the zoo and asked if I could visit the now adult Dingoes. 

I was made very welcome by the staff, taken behind the enclosures, and let in through a back gate. To my complete delight, they remembered me and jumped all over me. It was a moment I will never forget. 

 

This experience would not have been possible without the encouragement and trust Berenice Walters had in my interactions with the dingoes.

My time with the Berenice and the sanctuary taught me a lot about dingoes and I was privileged to have a personal relationship with many of them and receive their love in return.

 

But, mostly it was a great honour and a privilege to be involved with an inspirational lady who had dedicated her life to educating people about our wonderful Dingo.  

Understanding your Dingo's Behaviour

In her book Getting a Good dog a Better Name published in 1990 and after 15 years experience of keeping dingoes Berenice advised: 

Although Dingoes reared with people love to belong and live closely with their human family as a family member, they are at all times free-spirited, extremely sensitive and shy, independent, innovative and highly intelligent, curious, joyously running and exploring with unbounded energy, mischievously defiant of man's wishes, particularly when running free, until it is their choice. While Dingoes generally have no intention of running away - they are strongly territorial - they are seldom content, except in old age, to stroll along 'at heel'.

 

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5* Book Review for Merigal Dingoes by Pamela King

Having read Pamela King's first book, For the Love of a Dingo, which I thoroughly enjoyed, Merigal Dingoes continues on, with more stories and more depth.

I read individual stories as I wanted. I read them on days when I really needed a lift. There are many heart-warming moments to share.

Pamela King's work in bringing these charming, often hilarious episodes to readers is very much appreciated. Thank you also for introducing me to Berenice Walters - what a remarkable woman.

This is a book that you can read with children (with care) - a great opportunity to share reading as a family event. :) And of course, there are many people who need to know about Australia's native dog.

Highly recommended. Karina McRoberts (Author) - Five stars (5*)
 

 

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Animal Liberation March 1978

 

In November 1978 Berenice agreed the society would participate in an Animal Liberation March.

Sydney Morning Herald headlines read: “Don’t shoot if you see a pack of dingoes marching from Martin Pace up Macquarie Street to Hyde Park tomorrow morning.”

This was the first ever animal rights march in Sydney and the dingoes were given the honour or leading the procession.

Arriving at the assembly point Berenice was impressed, if not a little apprehensive, by the quantity and quality of the police escort. 

A large police sergeant bore down on her, taking her arm in a vice like grip. “Are you marching?” Before she had a chance to reply a penny seemed to drop. “We’ve got our wires crossed. We were expecting gay liberationists not animal liberationists!”

Asked if they would like to march along the footpath or down the centre of the road they opted to march behind the waiting police car. “Well that will travel more comfortably down the middle of the road,” said the amiable officer.

Except for one police car, all signs of their body guards disappeared except for one lone police car. Leading the rest of the marchers they led the way up Martin Place without incident

They received had red carpet treatment from the police force and the press. 

 

 

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