"Did you steal that dog?" asked the kid in the street. "I know a kid who lost a dog just like that one." This was weeks after I had found a tiny pup playing in the traffic on King Street, Newtown, Sydney. A notice in the local shop didn't produce an owner so Peter Gremlin was off to the vet for vaccinations and worming and he was mine! An indeterminate breed but mainly fox terrier and Australian cattle dog, Peter has been the perfect companion. He was named Peter after a childhood pet and his middle name just had to be Gremlin because his ears looked like those of the characters in the movie of the same name.

In 1993, we settled on the farm in Clybucca and the dog who loves to run has found his niche - his world is now one big park and we still go to the beach occasionally. Apart from being my constant companion, Peter has always lived with other animals. It used to be cats, budgies and fish but now he is friends with cows, chooks and ducks as well. For some reason, he has a huge fascination with ducklings but he is always gentle with baby animals.

In his prime, he was an excellent watch dog but now old age plus deafness and blindness (sometimes selective) has led to his retirement. He is living a varied life - from the hustle of the inner city to the space of the country - but always he is a happy little dog who is eager to please and has energy in abundance.