From Robyn on Patreon in 2024
Sparky the dog lives by an inlet, nay, a cove off Sydney Harbour. He has his limitations but he is a good animal - he does what is expected of him. What more can you ask of anybody? Sparky and his family roost in a tree just to be on the safe side, and his wife Angelica has taken to giving birth to her pups encased in eggs, for their protection. Sparky and Surina don’t discuss their situation, they just respond to it instinctively. They have an unspoken agreement that life is better if you and your offspring can float.

Sparky believes in the right of the individual to sniff what they want, when they want. But he’s not selfish, and he’s prepared to share his nose if necessary. I admire his generosity though I wouldn’t echo it. And being a passive, fatalistic sort of animal myself, I can’t imagine myself adapting the way Sparky and Angelica have adapted to their changing circumstances. Well, I can imagine anything as long as I don’t have to actually do it. Some things are too big to acknowledge…