Sally shows how versatile some dogs can be. We hope you enjoy this delightful story from an iconic Australian breed who lived many years as a farm dog, turning in her Akubra for a Captain’s hat at sea.
A Letter from Sally SailorDog
I am a Smithfield Stumpy Tail Red Heeler born in 2002 in Kunnanurra, Western Australia where my Dad was working. I moved with him to Queensland where he met Mum in 2005 and I became a farm dog. From Queensland, Mum, Dad and me made another move to a 3000-acre cotton farm in New South Wales.
I had the run of the farm and I loved chasing foxes and pigs, jumping in and out of the farm ute, swimming and chasing my ball in the irrigation channels and generally getting into mischief. I loved to ‘rescue’ baby rabbits and bring them home for inspection. I also liked to warn Mum and Dad about echidnas under the house in the winter and snakes in the yard in summer.
During this time Mum & Dad bought a small sailboat and we began sailing on Moreton Bay for long weekends and holidays. Here I learnt to bark at dolphins, ride in the dingy and sit in the cockpit while sailing. In 2010 Mum and Dad bought a bigger boat so we could go on longer expeditions until we all moved aboard fulltime in 2011.
I had no trouble adjusting to life aboard as by now I was a seasoned sailor. Dad taught me to climb the ladder to get from the dingy onto our boats deck. I run around the deck easily to get my exercise.
In 2014 I survived an attack by two dogs which left me with horrific injuries around my neck. It took two major surgeries to stitch me back together. It was a tough time for Mum and Dad for a while, but I survived thanks mainly to their love and care.
For the past 8 years I have been sailing the Queensland East Coast from Brisbane to Lizard Island spending time in marinas when Mum and Dad stopped to work.
Fair winds and yummy treats,
Sally SailorDog
Epilogue
On January 23rd, 2019 Sally Sailordog crossed The Rainbow Bridge. The following is a special tribute from her Mum Kirsty.
Sally was special as she was a very friendly dog, super relaxed, easy going and everyone that met her fell in love with her.
She loved rides in the dingy, swimming and exploring onshore with us.
It was a fitting end that she was taken into the sea that she loved so much. She disappeared from the boat, but she will always be sailing with us as we continue our adventures.
Lovingly remembered as our third crew❤
