HUNTAWAY

by A.R. Mills

Illustrated by Jack Morgan

A.R. (Bob) Mills tells his life-story as a shepherd and dog-man in the pages of Huntaway, though he has been perhaps, unduly modest about his work as a leading light in the dog-trial movement.

To be a high-country shepherd had been Bob Mills’ boyhood ambition. The reality when he started work on what was then a very different station of the Wairarapa country – was a setback, The head shepherd was hostile, the men disaffected, the shepherds treated their dogs as no more than necessary brutes. The author, knowing no better, treated his dogs with indifference…

Happier stations, and the friendship of men such as the late W.V. McIntyre, brought happier days. In particular, the author began to realise – with joy and astonishment – the marvelous response that a good dog will give to enlightened training and treatment.

He learned to love them, to admire their brilliant intelligence, to respect the loyalty they give in their short hard-working lives, to realise that on their service depends all the livelihood of a pastoral country.

Published by AH & AW Reed in 1966

Hardback (with dustjacket) – 215 pages

Previous owners name on blank flyleaf page – otherwise very good condition