LILY was adopted by Kylie Smith as a small and malnourished puppy but has grown to be Kylie's greatest companion, and worker.
"I didn't expect her to become this good a worker," Kylie says, referring to when she first began to train her.
Lily and Kylie's companionship grew stronger when Kylie was sick.
Now Lily openly gets special treatment.
"She always comes into town at night, and often sleeps inside," Kylie said.
"No other dog gets that privilege."
When Kylie's partner is away, she may even sneak up on the bed.
When Kylie's father suffered an accident five years ago, the decision was easy for her to return to working on the family farm.
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She adopted Lily soon after.
Travelling to the property at Rokewood each day, she lives with her partner in Ballarat, who also has working dogs.
Between the two of them, they have eight dogs.
Lily, Kylie said, only listens to her — despite both Kylie's father's and partner's efforts in taking her out.
"She just won't work for them."
Kylie's father still has a few dogs left from his team.
"He keeps a young one in case I'm sick, because they can be very selective in who they work for."
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Lily is also protective of her pups Lexi and Diesel.
"Diesel as a young pup got attacked by another dog, causing his brain to swell," Kylie said.
"If Diesel is being challenged by a cow or anything, Lily will get in between them, even though she's half the size."
That's not the only trouble Diesel will get into.
"Diesel is one for taking on a fence. Any fence — he'll have a go," Kylie said.
"He'll just charge at it full bolt to see if he can get through, although a couple of times he hasn't quite made it."
"He gets stuck in the fence and just sits there until you come and get him, including electric fences — and he's being zapped."
Even with so many dogs, Buttons the cat rules the animals on the property.
"Especially if she's hungry, she'll just bully the dogs," Kylie said.
