Over the years I have shared many stories about our family, our farm and our dog Lister. On Monday evening Lister passed away from a suspected snake bite. Of course we are very upset as he has been a big part of our lives since he entered it as a cheeky little puppy back on the 17th June 2007.
We have always had Staffordshire Terriers and Lister was our sixth.........Buster, Spike, Rocky, Nitro, Horse (adopted) and Lister.
It wasn't long before he was confident around the farm and the cows, but having lost our 2 previous dogs to being hit on the road, Lister was locked safely away every night in the garage.
He made friends with Ollie at Hannah's 18th and when the party got too loud they both decided that it was bed time in the lounge room.
He was a bit of a 'Goldilocks' when Lilly (Pearl's little dog) came to stay.......what do you mean this bed's too small?......I think it's just right!
A friend to everyone who visited but sometimes not to every dog who crossed his path. Snarly dogs were not tolerated......and if you were small and furry like a rabbit, hare, possum, rat, mouse or cat you didn't stand a chance!
He loved farm life and the fringe benefits it provided.....especially the milk.....but I won't mention the others!
He had an obsession with the irrigator.........every time we would set it going he would run and bark and try and grab the water. He would end up soaked and exhausted.......it was so funny to watch Lister belt down the paddock as soon as he heard the sprinkler head splutter as the first of the water came through......lol!
He would ride on the bike to get the cows.......have selfies taken......albeit reluctantly.....
When we left the farm and moved to the shop we knew that it wasn't going to be easy for him. Although he loved living at the shop, he did sneak back to the farm several times as the new owners were bringing the cows in for the morning milking. We were unaware of this as he would be back on his mat in time to go for our morning walk together. It wasn't until one morning he was wet from running through the long grass that we realised what he'd been doing. He would 'help' get the cows in, have a wander around the dairy, drink some milk and come back to the shop ready for a walk. Why a problem? Well the new owners had 3 kittens and as they are small furry animals you know what would have happened........so we soon put a end to his early morning escapades!
I will no longer have Lister to keep me company when I am gardening or mowing the lawns..........he didn't ride on the mower but would follow me around and lay and watch me.
No more belly scratches or playing with Russell
or having cuddles.
No more greeting customers as they arrive at the shop and ignoring them as they leave. No more conversations with Sharon as she delivers the mail.
We knew that this would probably happen to him. Over the last couple of years he has cornered snakes and barked at them but always keeping his distance. Then earlier in the year he killed his first snake. We were worried that he would become gamer and try it again. Then 3 weeks ago he attacked another snake, in the same place that I found him on Monday evening. This time he wasn't so lucky.
We will miss him but that is life. When you own a dog you know that they are with you for such a short time. As much as we love dogs and would dearly love another Staffie, we have decided not to get another dog......it's just too hard.
Thank you to everyone for your lovely messages about Lister on my facebook page. They are all so lovely but my favourite must go out to Bronwyn.....a regular Blog reader. Bronwyn wrote:
"No not Lister. He is wonder dog. Fearless fighter of snakes, sun loving and patchwork shop greeter. Remember when you moved to the shop and he walked back to the farm? I always read the Lister stories to my dog. RIP Lister. Facebook will not be the same."
Mr Lister, 13 April 2007 to 16th November 2015.
Linda