The Bitch from the Bush - My first post of the ABPA site

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Maureen Clifford

The Bitch from the Bush - My first post of the ABPA site

Post by Maureen Clifford » Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:05 pm

This was the first Poem I posted on ABPA - written about my little white Border Collie - my working dog Anushka Maree - Kennel name Fiesta Jodie AKA Anna.

Despite its glitches - The Bitch from the Bush is still my favourite





THE BITCH FROM THE BUSH



I had a bitch from the bush whose pet name was Nush
She was white like Snowflakes drifting free.
When out with the mob she was always top dog
and if working sheep then she’s happy.
She never did spook them or ever abuse them.
I think they thought she was a lamb.
But there were no dogs tougher, and with her mate Buster
she brought home those ewes and the rams.

She was a real beauty with blood lines that do me
quite proud when I’m working along.
She’s willing and ready and holds the flock steady.
She has eye, she’s smart and she’s young.
The old dog is retiring, the apprentice is still trying,
so Nush is the best chance I’ve got,
of getting them mustered and all under cover
for tomorrow we shear the whole lot.

So let’s hear a cheer for the bitch from the bush
who’s so little so quick and so smart?
She’s a wonderful dog and I like her a lot
and she’s blessed with a wonderful heart.
The old sheep men laugh at the bitch from the bush,
with her coat as white as the snow.
But it just goes to show at the end of the day
how little some people do know.
.
Her breeding is fine, this small girl of mine.
Her Father Princes Wally by name.
While Mum was no slouch at cutting them out.
Fiesta Jodie for trialling was famed.
Don’t let that dog in the house these men said.
Always keep her firmly in hand.
Keep her chained up, and don’t let her play.
This advice from these men on the land.

But I’m here to tell you that she’s thrived on love
She’ll work from sunup to sundown.
There’s nothing the matter with treating dogs better
letting them loose to just play around.
For this little bitch is just brilliant.
When she is out working the mob,
there is no doubt as to who is in charge.
This girl does a mighty fine job.

So here’s to the working dog, give them a chance.
Let some of those old ideas die
For they are your best mate when the mobs at the gate
and you’re faced with a darkening sky.
Reward them with love; keep them warm and well fed.
Treat them with respect and with pride.
At the end of their days, let them in the sun laze
as you hope to when you have retired.

So here’s to the working dogs of Australia.
The Jessie, the Sam and the Nush.
Ralph, Red and Jodie and Wally and Sophie
and all of the others who push
mobs of sheep through this country,
who don’t get paid money, and ask very little of you.
They are worth a mans wages, are brave and courageous,
our Kelpies, and Borders and Blues.


Maureen Clifford ©


After some help from ABPA members mainly Will it changed a little

NUSH


My bitch from the bush, whose pet name is Nush,
is as white as vanilla ice cream.
When out with the mob she is always top dog,
the best of a champion team.
She never will scare 'em, or rip 'em, or tear 'em.
They seem to think she is a lamb.
When it comes time to muster, with her best mate old Buster,
she brings home those ewes and those rams.

She is a real beauty with blood lines that do me
quite proud when I’m working along.
She’s willing and ready and holds the flock steady.
She’s smart and she seldom goes wrong.
With the old dog retiring, the apprentice not firing,
my Nush is the best chance I’ve got,
of getting them mustered and covered and clustered
for tomorrow we shear the whole lot.

So let’s hear it for Nush, my bitch from the bush
she's little, she's quick and she's smart.
She’s a wonderful mutt, and I know in my gut
that she’s blessed with a wonderful heart.
It's hard taking chaff from old sheepmen who laugh
at her coat that's as white as the snow.
But all I've got to say at the end of the day
is how little some some smart people know.

Her breeding is fine, this small girl of mine.
Her father, Princes Wally by name.
Fiesta Jodie her mum would be well known to some
because of her trialling fame.
"Keep her out the house," these old men would grouse
"and keep her quite firmly in hand.
Keep her chained night and day, and don’t let her play."
I was told by these men of the land.

But when push comes to shove, she thrives on my love;
She’ll work from the dawn until dark.
You can treat your dogs well and not spoil 'em to hell;
let 'em loose and you'll brighten their spark.
For she's not one to shirk when it comes time for work;
she's brilliant when working the mob.
They don't argue the toss, 'coz they know she's the boss.
This girl is a pearl at her job.

So give 'em their due. They work harder than you.
Let some of those old wives' tales die.
For they're your best mate when the mobs at the gate
and you’re faced with a darkening sky.
Give 'em love and a bed; keep 'em warm and well fed;
respect 'em and give 'em their due.
At the end of their days, let 'em soak up the rays;
they've given their best years to you.

Here's to Sam and to Sophie, to Ralph, Red and Jodie,
to Wally, to Sam and to Nush.
Working dogs of this land, they're the drover's right hand;
willing workers who herd and who push
mobs of sheep overland, whatever their brand,
for the love of the work and of you.
They are worth a mans wages, fiercely loyal, courageous,
They're the Kelpie, the Collie, the Blue.

and eventually morphed into the final product - where poor old Nushy became Nancy in the interest of rhyming poetry

NANCY OF THE OVERTHROW.

Maureen Clifford ©

A Border Collie, white and fancy, goes by the name of Nancy,
she was born out on the ranges where the Iron bark thickly grows.
Her Mum old 'Fiesta Jodie' came in pup to 'Princes Wally'
and the pup was jokingly called Nancy of the overthrow.
The farmer he wasn't happy. It was getting close to shearing ,
his best bitch knocked up and cannot work and that's an awful blow.
He'd three thousand head to muster and despite his bluff and bluster
he relied far more on his dogs help than any one would know.

The pup is a little beauty with bloodlines fine that just do me
proud as punch. She is the smartest dog that I've seen in a while.
She is lightweight, white and fluffy, but with her I'm always happy
and her antics whilst out mustering they always make me smile.
And I sometimes rather fancy that my little bitch, my Nancy,
has been on earth before. Is there another dog juxtaposed?
For she knows just what to do and there is no discussion, true it
is in her genes and when chasing sheep, she's never indisposed.

In my wildest flights of fancy I have visions of my Nancy
working in the ring and trialling , beneath a judges stare.
As she gets her three sheep yarded, my directions she's discarded
for she's doing what comes naturally and works without a care.
She sees a vision splendid. With waving tail and gait extended,
she quickly blocks the ram and turns him, a not so easy feat.
and I'm filled with admiration when she has an altercation
with a stroppy ram who thinks that she is small enough to beat.

For she stops and gives him eye, and then creeps up on him kind of sly.
He stamps his foot undecided. Should he go or should he stay?
Then with lightening quick precision not a moments indecision,
she swings on him quick and he decides he'd best be on his way.
As the stock are slowly stringing, 'cross the paddock with the ringing
of the lead sheep's bell somnolent tone on this the final push.
My life is blessed and thrilling, and my sweet Nancy is so willing.
I am privileged to work alongside the Bitch from the Bush.

I often take the time to ponder, as my gaze slowly wanders
'cross the paddocks that surround me, full of fine Merino sheep.
Where the air is unpolluted. No ringing phones or loud music
and at night when sheer exhaustion brings to me the sweetest sleep.
It is a lucky man I am and I thank my God once again
as I enjoy simple pleasures that the city folk never know.
Now out here on open acres with my sheep and dogs around me
I share natures glorious gift with Nancy of the overthrow.


________

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Zondrae
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Re: The Bitch from the Bush - My first post of the ABPA site

Post by Zondrae » Tue Nov 02, 2010 7:15 pm

Gee Maureen,

You have a good memory. I can't remember which poem I posted first. It probably was 'Someone', This is also about the second poem I ever wrote and kept. I might post the first one first and 'Someone' second.
Mmm - can't do that because I have already posted one. I guess it will be the first one second and the second one third.
Look for 'Heart to Heart'
Zondrae King
a woman of words

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