WORKING DOGS - RALPH PATRICK

[Maureen K Clifford]

WORKING DOGS – RALPH PATRICK


We bought a new kelpie today,
bought him down Tenterfield way
He’s liver and tan and a good looking man
and if he works out then he’ll stay
He’s a friendly obedient chap.
A really handsome young pup.
He’s settled right in and has the biggest grin
but with food we just can’t fill him up.


The pet lambs, well they just ignore him.
They’re used to the odd dog or two.
Fernando the horse, as a matter of course
just walks by him as good horses do.
He chases the pet goats all over,
but he leaves Teneille well alone.
Young Sasha he chases, she butts him then races.
One day for his sins he’ll atone.

He’s working out well is Ralph Patrick
he’s learning to handle the sheep
He works with Anushka and she really pushes,
but out at the rear young Ralph keeps.
He’s already mustered a stray Dorset.
The rams they don’t faze him at all,
because he got praise for catching this ram
he thought he would muster them all.


So off down the gully he trotted,
independently and all alone
without too much fuss and no help from us
he went and brought the ram’s home.
Well what could you say – we don’t want them,
just leave them alone let them be.
They need to stay in that paddock
because the ewes are pregnant you see.


So we told him he was a great dog
And though a good job he certainly did
‘twould be better by far if he stayed near the car
and only did what he was bid.
We had thought one day he'd be the top dog
that’s the way it should have gone down,
for Buster was slower, and stiffer and older
and Ralph was the new kid in town.


But sadly our little Ralph picked up a bait
and sadly the little man died.
I wasn't there when it happened
but I know that Trev the Boss cried.
So now Red the ring in is working
to help Noosh and Buster out too.
But he’s nowhere as good as Ralph Patrick
though they’re brothers – young Ralph wore big shoes.


Maureen Clifford ©

[Heather]

That's really sad about Ralph Patrick, Maureen. We had a dog take a fox bait once and it was not a pretty death. Never again.

Heather