My dad once had a male dog by the same name. When we got Raji she had very similar markings and that's why she she ended up with the same name.

How old is she?

We think she is about 12.

Tell me about this dog?

She is a lovely loyal and placid dog. You don't have to tell her to do things - she can think for herself and she actually listens to you. She does all the stock work around the farm and she is my legs. In the cattleyards she is always behind me and I have to watch I don't trip over her.

How does she compare to other dogs you have had?

Raji is the most intelligent dog I have had by far. She is consistent and she can read your mind before you tell her to do anything. If cattle break away she just goes after them without telling her too. She loves to guard the gate and if something gets out, she can't wait to round it up.

Is Raji a tough dog?

I had to fix a trough the other day and Raji started growling in the back of her throat. I turned around and one of the bulls had snuck up behind me and was pawing the ground. She always puts herself between me and the bulls. I don't know what would have happened if the bull had tried to attack because she hasn't really got any teeth left in her head. It's all just bluff with the both of us- we are getting older (Peter laughed).

Is Raji scared of anything in particular?

She hates thunder. When we have stormy weather I leave the door of the ute open for her and she spends the night in there.

One night we had a really stormy night . . . I could hear this really loud noise outside, I thought a plane was going to crash so I opened up the door and went outside for a look. The dogs ran inside at 100 miles an hour and I saw this sort of twister thing lift the roof off the calf shed. The calves were standing there petrified and a few escaped so I had to call on Raji. Even though she was scared she knew what was going on and she helped me get the calves back in.

Words and pictures: Sophie Bruns