A Dog called Lady
Here she sits
on her tuckerbox
patiently
waiting.
Through the years
families,
holiday makers,
and travellers
have stopped here
to look upon
the legend
which began
with a bullocky’s tale,
written too long ago.
Cameras click,
movies roll
and Lady sits
without a movement.
No yelping cries
from this canine,
she is too wise,
she’s seen too much
of people coming
and going,
some in a hurry to
move on to the next place
and others
lingering for a while by the blue gums . . .
watching her or throwing coins
into the wishing well
which protects her from small children
who might climb upon her back.
And as the years roll on
there’ll be more generations
who take a moment or two
to turn off the ‘track’
at the Five Mile
and spend time
with a dog,
this symbol of faith,
loyalty
and devotion
the Dog on the Tuckerbox.
© Corinne Fenton

Me at the statue with the book ‘The Dog on the Tuckerbox’ hardcover, 2008 which was launched at the Gundagai Library. The paperback is out this month.