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Nothing’s better than a friend

Coco the King Charles Cavalier is a trailblazer. She paved the way on her Tongala dairy farm, breaking the ‘no dogs’ rule and getting Ryan and Kristy Grant ready for parenthood. One year after Coco’s arrival, Charlotte was born and learned to follow in Coco’s wise pawsteps. Later came the twins — Sophie and Phoebe — but Coco was up for the challenge. Pictured are Sophie (6), Coco (9), Phoebe (6) and Charlotte (8). Photo by Daneka Hill

This week we again share some of the fabulous dogs, cats — and people — featured in Man’s Best Friend throughout 2022.

The Garden family — Dom, Rosie, Effie, Penni, Tim and baby Safa with family dog Ralf. The short-haired border collie came from one of the neighbours, and loves a pat.
Only a handful of dogs made it to the 2022 Deni Ute Muster — and all of them were there on official business. Baxter and Ruby were VIP dogs, keeping seats warm backstage and supervising the stars. The pair of Maltese x shih tzus spend eight months of the year travelling Australia with owner James Sleight as part of the Dinkum Dinosaur Children’s Show. Photo by Daneka Hill
Eve the perfect kelpie made news when she sold at auction for $49,000 on October 20 —setting an Australian record for the breed. The black-and-tan kelpie, who was not yet two when she sold, was bred by Chris Stapleton from Capree Stud at Newbridge in central-west NSW.
Chilli had a rocky start, landing at the Rochester vet as a young kitten and hand-raised through his first few weeks of life. These days he’s fully embracing the ‘house cat’ title on Raymond and Sarah Parker’s Undera dairy farm. Photo by Daneka Hill
There are five kelpies at Toland Poll Merino outside Violet Town, but stud principal Anna Toland says they’re outnumbered by their smallest and strangest looking pack member — Joey the Jack Russell. Photo by Daneka Hill
Yarrawonga residents Leon and Debbie Wright have been using retrieving dogs for decades. After a long stint with German shorthaired pointers, Mr Wright circled back to an old Australian breed known by many names and almost forgotten by history — the Murray River retriever. He is pictured here with Missy (red collar) and Cobber (blue). Photo by Daneka Hill
Okay, this picture didn’t feature in Man’s Best Friend this year but we love it and wanted to share it again. The photo, Dog in the water trough, by David Williams from Vacy, NSW won the National Farmers’ Federation’s 2022 National Agriculture Day photo and video competition.
Maggie came into Jerome Shirley’s life as a wedding present from his brother. Her status as a gift means she can really kick back and enjoy life on the Bunnaloo farm. Not being one for farm chores, Maggie instead devotes her time to the more important issues — stick chasing and bird patrol.