Drought help for working dogs, pets in Central Coast donation

The Outback Pet Project began in Erina Heights Vet Hospital about six weeks ago, and was met with a “crazy response … thousands of dollars’ worth of food” from the locals, vet nurse Tanya Middleton said.

At the weekend they drove up to deliver it to Manilla Veterinary Clinic, from where it has already started being distributed, clinical director Leanne Knight said.

“It’s the end of the month and farmers are coming in to pay their bills; as they come in, we’re giving them a bag or two, whatever they need,” she said.

“People are really appreciative and heartwarmed by it … a bag of dog food is really not that much, but they really appreciate the gesture and it’s nice to know they’re being thought of.”

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Miss Middleton said she estimated that the Erina community had donated 4000kg of food for dogs, working dogs, cats and even chooks.

“I’d heard a story of a family who had to rehome six of their working dogs, and to be honest that broke my heart,” she said.

“Yes, they’re working dogs, but they’re pets as well; the children of the family love them.

“They’re very loved – and very expensive to buy and train, and if you have to rehome them, that emotional attachment has been broken and that investment is gone.”

So the clinic put out the call for donations.

“Some people would come in – pensioners who can’t afford much so they’d just drop off little bag of treats; it was beautiful,” Miss Middleton said.

She and two colleagues dropped off the goodies to the Manilla clinic as well as some landholders in the district.

Miss Knight said some bags had been sent to the practice’s other locations in Barraba and Bingara.

“People are definitely doing it tough and looking for cheaper and cheaper options for food, whether that’s shooting roos for meat – but that’s not a balanced diet,” she said.

“We definitely have [people struggling to pay their bills] and people looking at getting funding for their multitude of all types of bills backing up.

“It’s definitely something that is real and is happening, and we’ve all got to try and manage.”

Here’s how Tanya Middleton described the experience:

The roads were dusty. The rivers were only a trickle, you could easily step over them and still have dry feet, and the plants on the river banks were wilted and weak.

As we drove our little Toyota up one of the many long, hard driveways, the paddocks on either side of us revealed cracks that grew deep in the barren, parched soil.

We passed through three gates and a cattle grid; to be greeted at the top of the hill by a man with eyes that were probably once bright blue, but now dull grey, bloodshot and as glassy as the sea. His face was hard, the face of a man who had spent his days working in the Australian sun.

Humility was difficult for him, I could tell.

He was an Aussie farmer: They’re strong, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, too. However, there is one thing, that can bring any farmer to their knees – the thought of losing their farm.

He smiled an exhausted, but thankful smile, shook my hand, and told me his name was Dave.

“With all this hoo-ha that’s been going on, you’re the first ones who have even bothered to contact us,” he told us.

Dave then continued to share the harsh reality of farm life in our drought-stricken land.

“It is really hard up here, especially when I’m here on my own – when the kids are at school, ya know. I’ve only got a handful of sheep left, a few cattle and a couple of stud bulls, one with pneumonia.”

Farming families throughout most of Australia are facing this heartbreaking reality. Added to the feelings of helplessness and depression is the isolation that comes with the demands of farm life.

After we unloaded a generous donation of working dog food – and a little food for his indoor fox terrier, Sammy, and his daughter’s cat, Smokey – Dave graciously invited us to meet his working dogs, or his “work mates” as he calls them.

There were nine in total: kelpies and border collies; full of life and affection – they were so excited to see us! They didn’t wear cute little bow ties or flamingo harnesses, they were just dogs being dogs; they knew their boundaries, but they also knew they were loved and they loved back, hard. It was such an incredible privilege to spend time with them and with their dad – ahem, I mean boss, Dave.

As we left the property, I couldn’t help but hug Dave, and I’m not going to lie, it was a little awkward; but he sent us off with the touching farewell gift of, “You kids really don’t know how much this means to me. Thank you, not just for the food, but thanks for thinking of us up here.”

Here at Erina Heights Veterinary Hospital, we would like to extend this gratitude and appreciation to all those who donated to our cause. Thank you for living a life that is a blessing to others.