Stupid Dog.

Took the “Boys” up to my mum’s and let them go for an unrestrained walk around the edge of the 40 Acres there. As we went around the property, we passed within a hundred metres or so from neighbours barking dogs, some sheep, some goats, all outside Mum’s property, and a horse on the property. On each occasion the two dogs showed a little interest in running after them but a word or two from me and they quickly lost inters in these diversions and stayed by me, although when we went near the horse, George just about jumped into my arms out of fear of this “big white horse”. Thus while Charlie was ranging far and wide, George was hanging real close to me when a little further on, we came across a mob of about 40 kangaroos in the same paddock.

Well, half went one way and the other half, the other, which bought them close to Charlie, who immediately set off after them and chased them for over 300 metres up and over the hill, before I lost sight of him. With me running after him and calling, well trying to call him back, which he finally did so! Much to my relief!

He probably will never know this, but it was (and is) a stupid thing for him to do. Not that he would ever catch one in the open, but if he cornered one and it turned on him, like some have done with much bigger dogs, it would make Mincemeat (almost literally) of him. Kangaroos might look harmless but when cornered or stirred up, can be quite aggressive and their claws have been known to rip man and beast, and especially dogs, to pieces very quickly indeed.

What about us? Are we not at times, equally stupid? Do we not sometimes, do something similar, and let ourselves get drawn away from our points of safety and start chasing after dangerous things? Things, that if we are not careful, and if someone more responsible doesn’t stop us, will cause us great harm.

So, sometimes at least, it does pay to listen to those who do know better than us. It is far better to learn some things from the experiences of others, rather than from our own experiences, especially if we have to literally pay with our own blood. What say you? Walter