Old working dogs refuse to be put out to pasture

Kingsley Vaux's family has been farming at Ongerup, about 400 kilometres south-east of Perth, for more than a century.By their side are about eight generations of working dogs, with 15-year-old Cassie the last in the line."They're normally gone at 10 or 12, but she still seems reasonably healthy although she's gone deaf so we're down to signals," Mr Vaux said."It's a bit of a fight to get her to change direction or anything, but she's teaching the young ones a little bit too, so it's still a joy to be working with her."A seasoned professionalThe border collie-huntaway cross may be deaf and arthritic, but her love for sheep work remains strong."[She] always wants to do work even though she's hardly capable of it these days, at 15," Mr Vaux said."All these jobs she's done before and she knows where they're going."She is one of many old farm dogs who, far from being put out to pasture, remain "totally faithful" to their masters."You can see it in their eyes," Mr Vaux said."It's just devotion, isn't it?"Manners maketh dogThirteen-year-old Bundy "loves getting out and amongst it", according to owner Renae Parsons, who relies on working dogs to muster thousands of sheep at her farm in Tenterden, about 330km south-east of Perth.Bundy as a puppy. (Supplied: Renae Parsons)The "naturally gifted" kelpie can't do as much as he used to but is still treasured by Ms Parsons."He's definitely one in a million," she said."If I could find another one like him, I'd grab it in an instant."On one occasion, in the middle of moving 3,000 sheep, a quick-witted Bundy noticed 300 were missing and nipped off to bring back the laggards on his own.Renae Parsons says 13-year-old kelpie Bundy is naturally gifted. (ABC Great Southern: Mark Bennett)But as much as Bundy likes work, there is one thing he won't stand for."He doesn't like to be yelled at," Ms Parsons said."You can talk firmly, but as soon as you get grumpy, he will go and sit on the ute and won't work."So you have to calm down and then he'll come back and start working again."Better bond, better working dogJenny Parsons, who trains and breeds dogs on her Tenterden farm, says this level of care is typical of farming folk, despite their tough reputation."A lot of people think that farmers are rough and heartless, but when you look around at all the old dogs that they've still got and absolutely adore … you can tell that most farmers are very, very soft underneath," she said.Jenny Parsons with her young dog Sherlock says the bond between a dog and trainer is crucial. (ABC Great Southern: Mark Bennett)In fact, it's this bond that makes for a great working dog."They have to want to work for you," she said."The better the bond … the bigger the try."Special bondMr Vaux is emotional walking through the graveyard on his property where each dog has an epithet.Beth was a talker, Fudge a prankster, Quarter always knew her left from right, and Speckles loved the water."It's bloody hard when you leave one, when one leaves you," he said."They tug at the heartstrings, even now."He knows Cassie will end up there one day soon, but for now he's grateful for his "loyal friend"."She's a good mate, a good friend, and a good worker," he said."It's bloody amazing when you can hardly just move a finger and they know what you want to do."Kingsley Vaux describes his working dog Cassie as a good mate and a good worker. (ABC Great Southern: Mark Bennett)