Brandy the Dog

BRANDY!   Something usually mixed with ginger ale or, if of a superior quality, served in a balloon glass.

Agatha Christy  fans realise brandy is the regulation cure for all those who have fainted.

But the Brandy of my recent acquaintance, was the companion of an elderly matron who lived in an ancient weatherboard which was comfortably settled in the weeds of a paddock around the corner from cattle yards on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria.

This Peninsula stretches along the left hand side of Port Phillip Bay as you enter the Heads from the ocean.

Mrs. McCarthy was a widow and quite frail in both body and mind.   And so was Brandy, her canine companion.   Brandy was in the most part beagle.   Her coat was coloured soft burnt umber with white at the throat and socks.

Old Mrs. Mac knocked on my door one Sunday morning to explain that Brandy was finding it hard to walk.   And could I contact my mate, Dr. Jack Ayerbe the vet.

I gathered them both up and carefully lowered them into my twin cabin ute.   Brandy’s large brown eyes seemed to know I was there to help.   I phoned Dr. Jack and asked him to help, also telling him we were already on the way.

“Just as well I’m not in the surf then.”

Dr. Jack attended to the ailing Brandy in the caring, but mysterious way vets have, and as we left he handed Mrs. Mac a tub of his very own Special Formula.

“The directions are printed on the label and the measuring spoon is inside,” Dr. Jack smiled.   “It’s for the dog, love,” he added.

Within weeks both Brandy and Mrs. Mac were decidedly better.

“We walk each morning now,” she told me brightly as they strode past my gate.

“Strewth, Mrs. Mac,” I gasped.   “You’re not taking Dr. Jack’s Special Formula are you?”

“No, dear,” she giggled like a teenager.   “Brandy has her dose with her food  -  loves it she does.   Her poor old back legs are marvellous now as you can see.   So she goes walking and I accompany her.   Does me the world of good, too.   Anyway, toodle-pip.   Give our best to Dr. Jack.”

And she strode away.