Sunday History Photo / WA

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 07:41
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Red Dog (1971- November 20, 1979) was a Kelpie/Cattle dog cross which was well-known for his travels through Western Australia's Pilbara region. There is a statue in his memory in Dampier, Western Australia, which is one of the towns to which he often returned. He is frequently referred to as a "Red Kelpie" . Red Dog is believed to have been born in the town of Paraburdoo, Western Australia in 1971 and had a variety of names to those who knew him, including: Bluey, Tally Ho, and Dog of the Northwest. Tally Ho was his first name, given to him by a man called Colonel Cummings, who is believed to have been his first owner and the one who brought him to Dampier. The nickname, "Red Dog" has been attributed to the red dirt of the Pilbara Region. His second owner was John Stazzonelli, a truck driver with Hamersley Iron, whose work allowed Red to travel as far as Perth, Broome, Roebourne, Point Samson and Port Hedland. Following John's death in 1975, Red spent a lot of time traveling on his own although he was taken in by many members of the community and a veterinarian who treated him. Red was made a member of the Dampier Salts Sport and Social Club and the Transport Union. He was also given a bank account with Wales Bank, which is said to have used him as a mascot and sales tool with the slogan, "If Red banks at the Wales, then you can too". Although he had many friends, it is believed that his death in 1979 was caused by deliberate strychnine poisoning. Red is buried in an unmarked grave somewhere between Dampier and Karratha.
Red Dog's story and statue have caught the attention of a number of people passing through Dampier including British author Louis de Bernières, who was inspired to write a book about him, and Australian Author Nancy Gillespie, who also wrote about Red.
A feature film about Red, based on de Bernières' novel, scheduled to be made in Australia, began either in October, 2009 or in the first half of this year in Western Australia's Pilbara region. Based on a screenplay by Daniel Taplitz it will be directed by Kriv Stenders, and the title role played by Koko, who is already undergoing training for the role. One source says that four different red Kelpies have been trained to play the title role. Release is scheduled for 2010.
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Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:10

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:10
Hi Doug,

Great story, with the exception of the poisoning..:((

I learn something every Sunday, from you, and thought I'd tell you how much I appreciate your post every week. I'm VERY sure I am not alone on this.

Great work, thanks,

Dave

AnswerID: 403034

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:43

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:43
You are dead right Dave, you "are not alone on this". Thanks Doug.

Trevor.
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Follow Up By: Madfisher - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 12:08

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 12:08
Yes me to, well done Doug.
Cheers Pete
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Follow Up By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 16:29

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 16:29
Ditto..... (:
regards
Fred B
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Reply By: Member - Allan B (QLD) - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:34

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:34
Yeah, good story again Doug. And that's a great photo of Dusty up there with Tally Ho. Keep 'em coming mate.

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Fred G NSW - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:35

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:35
Doug, I reckon the life and times and travels of Dusty would make for a pretty darn good subject for a movie in its own right.

I reckon he thinks he's every bit as tough as Red Dog in that photo :-))

Beautiful.

Fred.
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Reply By: Brakko - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:40

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:40
Red dog often "hitched" a lift in trucks apparently and was seen all along the great northern hwy in the Pilbara

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Reply By: Willem - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:49

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:49
Good one Doug,


Our Jeddah wasn't the least bit interested.

Its a lovely story and you can buy a small book with the story of Red Dog from the Karratha or Dampier Information Centres

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Cheers
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Reply By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 09:36

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 09:36
You've done it again Doug! Great read!!

Cheers

Brian


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Reply By: Off-track - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 10:47

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 10:47
Yep, I love the way you are able to find semi-obscure or 'lost' stories and legends of this country.

There is so much out there that we dont know about this country of ours.
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Reply By: Member - John L (WA) - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 14:51

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 14:51
Thanks Doug, Our favourite story is of the time a kind couple took him to Perth for a holiday & he hitched a ride straight back home! Like a few old North Westers we knew. We worked up north before Dampier or Karratha existed. Cheers Heather & John
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Reply By: Member - Brian (WA) - Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 22:00

Sunday, Feb 07, 2010 at 22:00
Hi Doug. I lived in Karratha at the time Red Dog was roaming around.
I had the pleasure to met/see him only once in that time. Truly a remarkable dog.
Brian
AnswerID: 403177

Reply By: Dusty & Bumpy - Monday, Feb 08, 2010 at 09:09

Monday, Feb 08, 2010 at 09:09
G'day Doug.

Great story. There is a narrated cd available from ABC shops - very entertaining. Makes you laugh and appreciate a good dog.

Thanks and cheers, David
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