Puppy Love

This weekend has been very exciting for us as we got a new addition to the house which has nothing to do with the build, the interior design or choice of fixtures and fittings: a beautiful puppy called Ruby. While one could argue that her colouring is right up my colour scheme alley, she is so much more than 'designer' dog - in fact, she is far from it.

So named because she was found in a rubbish bin, Ruby comes from an Aboriginal community in Yuendumu in the Northern Territory that not only has a dog rescue programme but also a very successful arts community - the Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation.

The dogs - all mixed breeds, many cattle and kelpie-based mixes like Ruby - are found and looked after by Gloria Morales, the art centre assistant manager (and originally a Chilean arts conservator!) who runs the dog program. The desert dogs are then re-homed around NSW by rescuer and foster carer Sandra from Paws Rescue who brought back Ruby for us. What an amazing job and what a beautiful dog ...

If you're a dog or art lover - or both - the program is always looking for volunteers to help up in the NT or with helping look after the dogs before they are found homes. It's definitely going on my bucket list!