Remembering all the brave that gave.
The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) Saturday 28 December 1918
DIgger, THE DOG.
'Digger,' a bulldog that left Australia on board the Argyllshire in October, 1914, and is now the only surviving mascot of the original lst Division, has returned to Sydney.
If he could speak he could say that he has been over the top 16 times says the Sydney correspondent of The Melbourne Herald). He was in the landing on Gallipoli, went through Lone Pine, and was in the evacuation.
Afterwards he went to France with the boys, and at Pozieres was wounded and gassed.
He returned to the division again, and out in two winters with it, being gassed again in the Ypres battle.
Men who know him say that as soon as the gas alarm sounded Digger would rush up to, his nearest human comrade and make signs that he wanted his mask fitted.
But he was not a mere show dog. When a man was lying wounded out in front and no one could reach him, Digger would be sent out with artificial foods, and if it was possible for the man to write he would bring a message back.
He bears the marks of his wounds. A hole in the top of the lower jaw, three teeth gone, blind in the right eye, deaf in the left ear. He had to be put under chloroform to have the bullet extracted.
No one company or battalion can ever say that they owned Digger. He belongs to the 1st Division. Sometimes he would be with one battalion, next week with another. Then he would take up with a battery of artillery for a -while.
While convalescent in England he transferred to the flying corps. On one occasion he went up 8,000 ft. with the late Flight-Lieut. Gibba, and has, they say, flown all over England and Scotland. He always was a venturesome dog, but he was invalided home a couple of months ago, and now has to lead a more or less humdrum life.
However, so his present keeper says, he could not be kept in on the day of the news of the Armistice. He caught a train to Sydney to knock around with the boys and,' several days later, had to be bailed out of the Dogs' Home for half a crown. He had the reputation of being a hard drinker 'over the other side.'
His was a common face in the wet canteen and estaminets.
The 1st Division has allowed him to go into the custody of Sgt. J. H. Martin, also a returned Anzac, who since the war has lost a mother, father, two brothers, and a sister— the last three on active service.
It was thought that the dog might be some consolation for him.
1990's These Three Cobblestone Dogs, 2 American Staffordshire Terriers, 1 Standard American Bulldog and acompanied by 3 Am Bulldog Pups from 3 different litters, Came to The desert South West after Growing up in Wisconsin and having Careers as Family Companions , Guardians , Farm Utility,Therapy, Obiedience, Schutzhund, Weapons Detection, And as Exhibition Conformation Show Dogs. They were called Upon In a Emergancy Situation with No Prior Training to Stop Very Aggressive Herds of Feral Pigs and Hogs that had been attacking Local children over Garbage Cans. Pigs ranged in size from 60 to 200 pounds with large Adult Pigs having 3 inch canine(Fang) Teeth. The pigs were a combination of Native pigs and released for Sport hunting Pig /hog breeds. These Dogs did Not perform as 'Catch' Dogs but Eradicated These Dangerous Nuisance Pigs Themselves. Sometimes The Dogs were covering dozens of miles on Foot Hunting Pigs in the Mountains N. of Tucson, Arizona. These Pigs/Hogs were also Very Carnivorous and were Eating dead range Cattle and Killing NewBorn Range Calves. Over thier Years in Arizona they successfully Killed Dozens of Feral Pigs and Thier Progency went on to do the same there and served as Family/Ranch Guardians throughout Southern Arizona.