Author(s): Andrew Rule

Natural History and Nature

Cavemen tamed fire then they tamed animals, wild ancestors of the domestic breeds that have been with us ever since. From the city beggar sharing a blanket with a bull terrier to oil-sheiks breeding Arabian horses, humans are suckers for animals. Writers are not immune. Les Carlyon has written of horses and horse people for decades. Robert Drewe's curious eye has fallen on everything from bull sharks to bull ants. Don Watson is a secret racehorse fancier. Paul Toohey laments the passing of the 'roo dog and Frank Robson the passing of his little mate, Lucky. These are a handful of many Australian men who have agreed to share their favourite animal stories.