While Lassie may be a creature of Hollywood legend (and always played by a male dog), Australia has its own true life canine hero immortalized in the film Red Dog. The real-life Red Dog also has three books about him, all referring to him by that name, although during his lifetime he was known by as variety of names as he travelled across the country.
In the film and the novel by Louis de Bernières, Red Dog was looking for his dead master, in reality its unclear why the dog kept travelling. The books Red Dog by Nancy Gillespie and Red Dog: The Pilbara Wanderer by Beverly Duckett are both more accurate reflections of the life of the real Red Dog, as seen by those who knew him.
The story of Red Dog has been brought into the limelight again recently after reported sightings of a possible modern-day counterpart called Fudge, who has been potentially spotted crossing Western Australia. His master is very much alive and well and actively looking for him so its hoped the pair will be reunited soon.
For those interested in travelling Australia, or bringing their pets to Australia, life can be much easier with the help of an experienced NAATI translator.
