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Yellow Dog's Eyes

Is there danger in the glow of the campfire?
In the strangers words not understood in the night?
Watch the drover move the mob before the morning light.
What's the thinking behind the yellow dog’s eyes?

How long is it since the tongue first licked the hand?
How many years did he follow the Aborigine around?
Who built the fences? Who offered the easy prey at night?
That's the thinking behind the yellow dog’s eyes!

Who learnt to take a backward step with the paling of the skin.
Taking out some early battles - the stranger would not give in.
Now see the broad hat miles away - it's best to run than fight.
That's the thinking behind the yellow dog’s eyes!

Is there danger in the glow of the campfire?
In the strangers words not understood in the night?
Watch the drover move the mob before the morning light.
What's the thinking behind the yellow dog’s eyes?

Yellow dog - how long did it take you to be the colour of the sand?
Yellow dog - there's no trust in you when another lamb goes down!
Howls of protest draw the light.
Death is on the march tonight
right between the yellow dog’s eyes.

Is there danger in the glow of the campfire?
In the strangers words not understood in the night?
Watch the drover move the mob before the morning light.
What's the thinking behind the yellow dog’s eyes?

Copyright © Lindsay Laurie | Year Posted 2020

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Richard Lamoureux Date: 5/13/2020 11:49:00 AM This is a haunting piece. Very effective story telling. Hugs Rick. Also thanks for your visit.;0) Login to Reply Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/15/2020 8:23:00 PM G'day Richard … it's a pleasure to make a visit Richard. The battle between farmers and marauding predators can create a haunting situation - Lindsay

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 5/13/2020 11:45:00 AM It is the way of the wild. Isn’t it grand that it is possible to train a pup to protect the sheep instead. We raised a pup who was part Shepard and part Moscow wolf. He used to let our Siamese cats sleep on him when it was cold. He was full grown when the cats came yet he accepted them. Shep still went after rabbits and we could not let him roam free as he would kill the neighbors dog. I really enjoyed your poem Lindsay. Blessings xxoo Login to Reply Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/15/2020 8:21:00 PM Hello Connie … thank for your interesting comment Connie. In the high country, some farmers are using Maremma dogs as guards, and from losing almost all their lambs to feral dogs and foxes, they don't lose any now - thank you Connie - Lindsay

Timothy Mcguire Date: 5/10/2020 10:39:00 PM a fav for me Lindsay, there is a saying here in ohio and Kentucky, if you want a crazy dog buy one with yellow eyes. I have seen it many times. Login to Reply Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/15/2020 8:17:00 PM G'day Timothy … a dingo is not so much crazy, but is very cunning. They howl but don't bark. There have been problems with in holiday spots, but for a farmer, the lust to kill for killings sake is war - thank you Timothy - Lindsay

Andrea Dietrich Date: 5/9/2020 9:42:00 PM I do not want to meet him alone in the dark. Loved the smooth lyrical flow of this one, LIndsay. Login to Reply Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/15/2020 8:13:00 PM Thanks again Andrea … I'm sure you would love to meet a domesticated dingo, but in Australia it is illegal to keep them without a strict permit. Even then, a dingo is not over trusting, but they are a beautiful breed. Thank you Andrea - Lindsay

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 5/6/2020 2:44:00 AM Yellow dog's eyes sound formidable - a great tale - he sounds like an opportunist and will survive on food he can kill maybe try and side with him, give him food perhaps he could become an ally and look after the sheep. Blessings, Jennifer. Login to Reply Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/15/2020 8:07:00 PM Hello Jennifer … even a slight human odour near food means these dogs won't take it. The only breed that are used as guards are Maremma and they do a great job, but they can't look after 5000 or more sheep - most predators are opportunists - thank you Jennifer - Lindsay

Harry Horsman Date: 5/6/2020 1:31:00 AM Love the story Lindsay, and the thinking behind the yellow dog's eyes..could be a dingo? Login to Reply Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/15/2020 8:01:00 PM Hello Harry … yes Harry, it is the dingo, but it's when they cross with domestic dogs that the real problem when killing for lust occurs. When a farmer discovers over 100 of his sheep slaughtered by dogs then it is war - thank you Harry - Lindsay

Rico Leffanta Date: 5/5/2020 2:41:00 PM As a wildlife photographer, I would say that what is going on behind yellow dog's eyes is the drive to survive, i.e., learn all one can about one's foe, attack at an opportune moment, and eat where food is available! Aloha! Rico Login to Reply Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/15/2020 7:57:00 PM Correct Rico … but with these dingo cross domestic dogs the lust to kill for killing's sake has made them enemies of the farmers. The pure bred dingo is a beautiful dog that doesn't bark, but howls - thank you Rico - Lindsay

Judy Ball Date: 5/5/2020 10:05:00 AM Animal lover that I am I tend to lean toward the dog. We all have to eat. Maybe offer the yellow dog some food and in being given food that in his understanding is a sign you want to accept him into your pack. Then being fed he won't be so given to bringing down your sheep if you teach him they are not to be killed. Great write. God Bless, JB Login to Reply Lindsay Laurie Date: 5/15/2020 7:53:00 PM Hello Judy … unfortunately Judy, the dog is actually a wild dingo, untrusting of humans and very cunning. If a pack brought down one sheep that would be fine, but in one night a pack often kill a hundred sheep. They are a beautiful dog, but many now are crossed with domestic dogs - thank you Judy - Lindsay