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           FatherRalphworkedlikeamaninthegripofsomeobsession,soolingthedogsafterunsuspectingbandsofsheep,sendingthesillywoollythingsleapingandbleatinginfrightuntilthelowshapesstreakingthroughthegrassgotthempackedtightandrunning.OnlyhavingthedogsenabledasmallhandfulofmentooperateapropertythesizeofDrogheda;bredtoworksheeporcattle,theywereamazinglyintelligentandneededverylittledirection.

           BynightfallFatherRalphandthedogs,withFranktryingtodohisinadequatebestbehindthem,hadclearedallthesheepoutofonepaddock,normallyseveraldays’work.Heunsaddledhismarenearaclumpoftreesbythegatetothesecondpaddock,talkingoptimisticallyofbeingabletogetthestockoutofitalsobeforetherainstarted.Thedogsweresprawledflatoutinthegrass,tongueslolling,thebigQueenslandbluefawningandcringingatFatherRalph’sfeet.Frankdugarepulsivecollectionofkangaroomeatoutofhissaddlebagandflungittothedogs,whichfellonitsnappingandbitingateachotherjealously.

           "Bloodyawfulbrutes,"hesaid."Theydon’tbehavelikedogs;they’rejustjackals."

           "IthinktheseareprobablyalotclosertowhatGodintendeddogsshouldbe,"saidFatherRalphmildly."Alert,intelligent,aggressiveandalmostuntamed.Formyself,Ipreferthemtothehousepetspecies."Hesmiled."Thecats,too.Haven’tyounoticedthemaroundthesheds?Aswildandviciousaspanthers;won’tletahumanbeingnearthem.