“The Outlaw” Enjoys a Meal

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26841, 4 August 1948, Page 4

“The Outlaw” Enjoys a Meal

Cromwell is not far from Dunedin by modern standards. Any resident of the mining town who is visiting the city and feels that the time has come for him to return to more familiar haunts has only to step into his car or board a bus or train, and, within a few flours, he can be back among friends. But Cromwell might as well be a million miles away when the Dunedin dweller with nostalgic longings happens to be a dog who does not know the way home. There is such a dog in Dunedin and there is every indication that the present outlaw existence which he is leading is the result of his failure to adapt himself to life in the city, coupled with ignorance of the route to Cromwell.

Some weeks ago a fine-looking blacl sheep dog was brought from Cromwell by car and handed over to a new owner in the city. A change of masters is always a puzzling business to an animal and this dog was no exception. Before he had time to become used to his new surroundings he broke his chain and disappeared. For some time he spent a considerable part of each day vainly chasing motor vehicles, apparently hopeful that he might thus find his original owner. He became a nuisance to drivers and his quest was unsuccessful. As the weeks passed his enthusiasm waned and, apart from an occasional sporadic foray, he now seldom leaves his hide-out in the Town Belt bush except to visit friends in search of food. When he first started his outlaw life, finding food appeared to be the most difficult problem confronting the homesick dog. He rapidly became thin

and bedraggled. Now, however, although still resisting all attempts to catch him, he has become sleek and fat once more, as a result of the kindness shown him by a number of Dunedin residents. “The Outlaw” has a regular “ beat ” and calls at the same time each day at several places where food is left for him. Yesterday morning a Daily Times photographer was able to obtain a picture of the dog taken from a distance of some 20 yards when “The Outlaw ” called for one of his regular meals at a spot on a bank above Heriot row. The householder who provides this daily repast said that, although the dog appeared to be friendly, it resented any attempt to go too close. She was able to go to within two or three yards but the self-appointed exile would allow no further liberties.

Efforts to capture this elusive animal rave all come to naught. The owner —that is, the Dunedin owner—has travelled miles on his motor cycle searching for his properly but "The Outlaw ” has a well-concealed lair to which he retreats whenever he thinks capture threatens. There is some similarity between the story of this dog and that of the celebrated “ Lassie,” of book and motion picture fame. Lassie, however, successfully found her way home. The chances of her Dunedin counterpart doing likewise do not appear to be bright, as he lacks the well-developed bump of direction posressed by the Actional dog. The time may come when he will make an error of judgment and be captured, but in the meantime the dog’s life he is leading seems to be agreeing with him.