Little Dogs...an explanation

There has been some puzzlement among some of our readers (we know we have at least two) about the point of the ‘little dogs’ post.

I can understand that, and I need to explain. On our first few days here I was struck again and again by the host of little dogs in the park. It seemed so un-Australian. We have this image of the Australian as a rough, tough guy or girl—sporting, athletic, surfers, rugby players etc. etc. And yet here in the park each morning were these tiny prissy little animals, and not owned exclusively by little old ladies but by rough, tough athletic guys and girls. Where were the Dobermanns, the pit bulls, the German shepherds—and the other sorts of macho dogs that one might have expected to be this country’s standard canine choice. So that is the explanation of my 'little dogs' post.