April, 2026

As the young guy said who came to pump out my septic this week, “This year is flying!!” I have a nasty feeling that the huge ficus tree has found the old drainage channel which runs directly out from the back deck. A bit of odd planning in the past and I really don’t want a deep ripper across the lawn. 

Meanwhile the leaves are turning gold and it’s very pretty, I love autumn and the great weather it usually brings. Tash found a new home at Jindowee and is enjoying this lovely garden.

It’s been a busy month with about 25 dogs to keep fed and happy, but we all seem to have survived. Wills had a tough time with Gossip on heat, he was sure he was first in line but forgot he’s her dad! Holdem had a bit of excitement mating his first bitch but will have to wait a bit for his second chance as we don’t want her to have a big litter. Fingers Xd with that one. Em gave him a little run on the sheep, he’s a lovely boy.

2  < Click for Holdem vid.

It’s interesting the way society is moving so fast to embrace social media; people seem more into instant gratification these days, what with online shopping, binge viewing TV and social media available for instant communication 24/7. When I started breeding dogs orders for pups came either by phone or email(usually sent by the female half!). People were happy to wait for a suitable pup and possibly more interested in the breeding. Nowadays if I put a pup up for sale on Facebook, as I did recently, I get heaps of enquiries…I’m not complaining about that… but most are more in the style of random queries and not specific as to sex, colour, stock to be worked(if any) and some don’t even know what country I’m in! Interesting times. The fuel “crisis” is adding to uncertainty for transport operators.

Speedy’s Riana Note pups arrived safely, 3 of each and various colours, including an unusual red/black.

This month will see more bitches whelp, Lynnton Martin’s Bat looks to be having a small litter to Jack, but could surprise.

EmmaMcKeon aka Eminem has been mated to Greg Kings’ nice K.Remix/Mick x K.Wiggle son Roley, whom we hope will settle her over active imagination a little. She’s a very nice worker but has a few hang ups due to my failure to check in with her early education often enough; she was worked in a round yard for too long and it seemed to wind up her brain a treat! She started as a very nice wide worker and reacted to close work by refusing to obey commands…. including her name. Greg said she wouldn’t come to her name when called by him but is fine working for Derek. Oddly enough she takes after her namesake… being born during the Paris Olympics, and loves a nice long swim in the cattle trough in the run. It seems to calm her down a lot.

                                                                                                       Emmy

Another litter due at the end of the month is an interesting one. I’ve been asked to whelp Karmala Karma (Barney x Naka) to Karrawarra Cash for her owner Chevy Bain, who is working away a lot. Cash is a nice young dog and reminds me of Mace’s sire a lot.

A rather problematical mating is also coming up! Clover has been running with old Eventine Ralph and we know he’s not too fertile but were happy for a last litter by him if he managed a miracle. Meantime sneaky little Mini Daxie Siggy managed to dig under the yard fence while I was busy with visitors that week so he might have done it again! He’s getting quite an International reputation for his “Delpies”, they make wonderful pets.

It was exciting to give Rydal Mace his first look at sheep this week and he didn’t disappoint, he’s a nice mix of his sire Rosebank Wally and his dam Karmala Minx, Minmin’s litter sister. He’s a great character; very smart, calm and self contained taking everything in his stride, a very confident pup and a bit of a clown as well..

1<click for Mace vid first look at sheep

 21< click for Mace with his fave toy!

We still have two girls from the ”Spud”x Sass litter and will run on Bubbles for a bit, her sister Babble’s available due to a cancellation due to fuel prices and the ongoing drama. Other older bitch pups for sale are sisters Ante and Double Down(DD), Jack x Clover. Lovely young bitches very keen to work but sadly too many here at present to keep longer.

Ante    DD

Gundeeguy flew over to WA and is living the life….below!

This is a Spud x Sass boy who went down to Albury with Neil’s Pet Transport. 

I had a visit from an Irish Kelpie owner, Matthew Annett, who flew up to Brisbane especially to see the Karmala dogs. He’s working in Sydney now but the family has one of Jag’s pups working on their farm. Karmala Calvin Klein/Jag went back to Ireland with Andrew Ardis a few years ago. 

Here in the lovely old shed at Deepwater Station.

Em’s been able to get outside a bit and has been teaching some manners to the pups. It’s amazing how quickly they catch on when treats are involved! Some of her old favourites also get a bit spoilt, here’s Eminem.

It was interesting to read the unflattering comments when I posted a photo of my Xmas Day lamb at 2 1/2 months old…I thought he was pretty tight in the skin too until I caught him to mark him. He’s soft and pliable and I’ve promised to post another photo when he’s a year old. If he lives that long. Always problematical but he has a better chance now I keep the sheep up around the house. The last lambs have been killed by feral dogs. I have a feeling he’ll fill up a lot of that skin!