RIP Zhaan

First time I met Zhaan - in Melbourne in 2009.  She was about two years old then.

Zhaan died last month.  She was Son No. 2's dog, and a gentler, more good natured dog you would probably never meet.

She was an unusual breed for Australia - a Canaan dog.  When living in Melbourne, Son No.2 was friendly with the American community there, and apparently one of them bred Canaan Dogs.  I believe they are more common in the US.

Zhaan was 3rd generation in from wild dog status.

This breeder had since returned home, and as far as we know, Zhaan was the last of four Canaan dogs in Oz.

Ready to cross the Nullabor in 2011

When Son No. 2 decided to return to Perth, I flew to Melbourne to help him drive with Zhaan across the Nullabor.

On the way to Perth: Snowtown (South Australia) - Zhaan and I outside the disused bank made famous by the bodies in the barrels murder cases.

Zhaan lived with us for about 18 months.  Pic shows her first night with us, sharing the room with Flemington.

With Granddaughter A and Flemington

Following are some photos of our daily walks in Perth.  Even after moving out when Son No. 2 remarried, Zhaan and Molly were in our care for at least two days a week.

Exploring Adenia Reserve with Molly, my daughter-in-law's dog

Dawn at the dog beach - Molly, Zhaan and Flemington

Spring flowers in Adenia Park

In her last 18 months or so, Zhaan had a myriad of health problems.  A leaky heart valve was a major one, and she ended up on lots of medication for that.

She also suffered lots of backache and muscle cramps, for which she had acupuncture at Murdoch University Animal Hospital.  That appeared to help a lot.

She didn't really enjoy this, but it did her good,

Old and grey

My very last photo of Zhaan

Molly's Magpie Adventure

Springtime in Perth is not without its dangers.

Nesting birds can get aggressive and attack passers-by.

Chief amongst these are the magpies, but honeyeaters and even the tiny willy wagtails will have a go at you.

Here's a newspaper report, with  a video of swooping magpies to give you an idea of what it's like.   There are even websites where you can log an attack and warn others.

I've had them attack me many times when I used to cycle commute (back in the bad old days when I had to work), and sadly, there's been a few cases where children have lost an eye to these magpies.

The other morning, I was taking Zhaan and Molly (Son No 2 and his wife's dogs) out for a walk in the local footy oval.

It started nicely enough.   Quite unusually, we hear a bloke practising his flute, and little Molly went to have a look.

The flautist seemed a little concerned at Molly's approach.

Seeing she posed no danger, he resumed playing.

As we continued on our walk, there was a swoosh over my right shoulder and through my viewfinder, I could see that Molly was ready for the magpie attack.

The magpie was heading for Zhaan, but Molly was ready for it.

The incident caught me on the hop, and my focus was all over the place.

Brave little Molly engaging the magpie in a skirmish.

Well done, Molly.  The magpie retreats.

Molly - the heroine of the day.