Now I tell you this story in all knowledge that it is politically incorrect, that animal lovers no longer wear fur coats, and that when you have a problem dog there are far better ways to fix said problem - namely training, putting up fences etc.

So............

Some years ago when both world and I were younger my first father - in - law had a dog. When I first met El Panchito, he was a three year old boxer, quite beautiful but incredibly naughty. He had taken the pants off the postman on quite a few occasions, attacked a kangaroo fur coat which unfortunately was being worn at the time. All in all he was a costly dog to own. Raoul was always forking out money to cover costs for the damage Panchito had caused. So as you can see this was definitely not a well trained animal.

Now where Panchito lived was in a glamorous diplomatic household where unfortunately there were no fences. So a good percentage of poor Panchito's problems lay with this non disciplinary factor which impinged greatly on his life and those associated with him.

At this time Raoul had a close friend who was the Ambassador for Argentina who lived within walking distance from Panchito's household. And Jose had a pet lamb, a beautiful little white creature that he used to bathe to keep it in pristine condition. He also used to tie a large pale blue bow around it's neck. Jose really loved this lamb.

Well one day - a Sunday - Jose asked Raoul and his wife to lunch. Before their lunchtime engagement my then parents-in-law went to another appointment and when they arrived at Jose's house they found to their horror their dog leaping over the fence, coming to greet them - caught in the act no less - no going back here.

He had just demolished the lamb - white wool and blue ribbons - the poor little thing didn't stand a chance - let alone survive. Jose was naturally most upset - there were lots of raised voices - almost a diplomatic incident!

So Raoul being blessed with that sometimes explosive Latin temperament, impetuously grabbed Panchito threw him into his car, and drove him some miles to the nearest river and left him there.

He returned to the luncheon, palpably wearing his distress and sorrow for his friend's loss that had so embarrassingly been caused by his own dog.

After the luncheon - a couple of hours later; they returned home to the embassy to find waiting for them on the front door step -...............................Panchito!

Amazingly .....although this dog who had never been to the Cotter River before, he had somehow mamanged to find his way back. In fact had beaten them home.

Copyright a.a.gallagher 2008

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