Man s best friends: Lindsay Erwin with Jack and Nellie who are a big part of his life. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
AFTER nine years ruling the roost as head sheep-herding honcho, purebred Kelpie Nellie now spends her days putting up with new pup, Jack.
Lindsay Erwin, owner of both Nellie and Jack, said although they drive each other crazy, he wouldn't have it any other way.
"The dogs are my life and I really couldn't live without them," Mr Erwin said.
In a similar fashion to new addition Jack, a six-month-old Kelpie, Mr Erwin bought Nellie, now nine, at the same age and trained her himself.
"I've always trained my dogs and it was no different with Nellie, nor will it be with Jack," Mr Erwin said.
"I'm slowly starting with Jack, but Nellie can work sheep with the best of them."
He describes Nellie as his "right hand" and said no matter how many sheep in the paddock, she's always there on the other side.
"She really is a natural and it's looking like Jack will turn out the same," Mr Erwin said.
Operating on a number of different farms in the Mingay area, Mr Erwin said his dogs were often a tourist attraction.
"When herding big flocks down roads you get the odd tourist stopping to take a photo of Nellie going about her business," he said.
"She must be in at least 50 tourists photo albums."
Climbing over Nellie as she tried to bask in the shade, it appears it won't be long before new pup Jack becomes the new king of the yard.
