By Taylah Eastwell
Aussie the Red Heeler was a dog with a character of his own – a mischievous pup, an adventurous soul, a hardworking cattle dog, a record jumper – but above all, he was an incredibly loyal best mate.
For Aussie’s owner, Barry ‘Josh’ Horsburgh, stumbling across Aussie on a track not too far from Emerald was the beginning of a thousand memories, with Aussie never two steps behind.
And for locals in the Emerald, Monbulk and Macclesfield areas, the sight of Aussie showing up at your place, barking for his treat from doting locals in the streets or smiling from the back of Mr Horsburgh’s 79’ Holden HZ ute is likely a memory of your own, too.
The Horsburgh’s sadly lost their beloved Aussie four weeks ago. He was 17 years of age.
Since Aussie’s passing, the amount of locals asking after him shows how big of a place Aussie held not only in Mr Horsburgh’s heart, but in the hearts of the broader community.
“I go up the street and people ask where he is straight away. I’ve got an old ute and people say it’s just not the same, the dog’s not in the back. Shopkeepers would see him and come out and give him a treat, everyone seemed to know him,” Mr Horsburgh said.
Mr Horsburgh said Aussie has made him a lot of friends over the years, mainly through him taking off as a pup and going to visit people.
“He would visit neighbours and play with the kids, people would ring up and say if you’re looking for Aussie he’s up here on the bed with the kids, the kids are feeding him. He’d do that regularly,” Mr Horsburgh said.
“I thought he’s probably annoying everyone, I better keep him home, so I put electric fences up and made a high fence around the property but no – he’d either go underneath it or jump it. It was like to say, well, mate, you can try and keep me in but I’m going to do what I’m going to do,” Mr Horsburgh laughed.
It was then that the Horsburgh’s realised Aussie’s calling in life – high jump.
“One day I was up on the roof fixing the timber and next thing I know he’d jump up on the roof beside me.
Aussie placed equal first in his dog high jump debut at the Berwick Show and continued his winning streak for three years.
“He was the state champion high jumper for three years. I didn’t push him anymore than that, he was too good of a dog to ruin. He had proved his point,” he said.
“As far as I know, he still holds the record of 12 foot in the old scale of measuring.
Aussie also won his fair share of working dog trails in High Country events, so Mr Horsburgh thought he would challenge him with a sheep moving competition one year.
“He took that out as well,” he laughed.
Mr Horsburgh said even at 17 years of age, Aussie still helped move cattle on the farm.
“I’ve had cattle dogs and working dogs my whole life and Aussie takes the cake,” he said.
“One day it just clicked that I could teach him tricks and commands and he would pick it up within five minutes. He’s one of the best.
Mr Horsburgh has been left heartbroken without his best mate and shadow following him around.
“Aussie was like a magnet, you couldn’t go to the toilet, couldn’t have a shower without him busting the door, he had to be with you. Even going to bed, he would drag his little bed inside next to my bed at the end of the day,” he said.
“Before I go to bed I’m waiting for him to drag his bed in, I can’t bring myself to move his water bowl and his food bowl, I used to take him to the dam every day, he loved water – and the other day I even grabbed his lead and called him and it just hit, his not here.
Mr Horsburgh said he is thankful for all the members of the community who have given him a call to give their condolences or called in to put flowers on Aussie’s grave.
“I want to say thanks to all the people that spent time with him, patted him, gave him attention and treats. He loved everybody,” he said.
If anyone knows of a good cattle dog or Heeler, Mr Horsburgh would love to hear from you. Please contact the Ranges Trader so the information can be passed on.
