Post by Paul on Dec 26, 2004 16:55:26 GMT 9.5
THE REVEREND ALFRED & RUBY BLAKE, AND RICKY
There have been times in my life when I have met new people that you instantly know you are going to hit it off. You seem to get the message from the warmth of their welcome and relaxed friendly atmosphere of their home, so it was with Alfred and Ruby Blake.
All of my life I have been attracted to people a lot older than myself because they always have such wonderful stories to tell. All you have to do is be prepared to listen which is something the young of every successive generation have found hard to do because when you are young and full of confidence you believe you know everything.
Alfred and Ruby Blake have retired to spend their golden years at an aged care complex called Alambi in the Adelaide suburb of Glengowrie. They live in a neat tidy unit which is full of interesting memorabilia of their shared life.
Reverend Blake has led an interesting life, even at one point admitting the he was a devil, a printer’s devil that is. Apprenticed to a printer from the age of fourteen he worked hard at his trade until at the age of twenty eight he decided it was time to go out on his own. A person who had promised to sell him a printing machine backed out on the agreement at the last minute with the excuse that they were trying to keep back yarders out of the business.
Undeterred, Alfred built his own machine and developed his business but as that began to grow he realized that he was heading toward the ministry. In 1939 he became a full time student of the ministry his life’s course set in the service of God and the people. In 1952 he accepted a captaincy to escort a ship load of migrants from Great Britain to Australia on the SS New Australia. He'd travelled to England on SS Cameronia which had collected troops from Singapore and Hong Kong. When he arrived in Great Britain he had a seven week wait for his ship during which time he took the time to travel and meet people where he says he was treated like, "The top brick of the chimney".
He spent 12 years at a church in Parhan in Victoria where he and his wife became the proud owners of Kim, a Boarder Collie X Blue Heeler who was brought up never to bark on a Sunday. Kim also took it upon him self to wait at the porch door and shake hands with each of the parishioners when they arrived and left.
In 1959 Alfred received a call to the church in Henley Beach, then fortunately for South Australia he received further calls to Port Pirie and Keith where both he and his wife enjoyed country life immensely. In 1977 they retired to Alambi and when I asked why retire in South Australia instead of returning to Victoria Reverend Blake answered with,"I guess I'd eaten too many crows". For the benefit of those that don't know, South Australians are known as Crow Eaters.
In 1989 the Matron of Alambi approached Alfred and Ruby and told them the home had been granted a Therapy dog and asked if they were prepared to look after him. They jumped at the chance and so Ricky became part of the family. Ricky is a Labrador who probably failed to test to become a Guide Dog because he loves to socialize with others of his kind, and once again, Ricky is well rounded and overweight.
Ricky is obviously loved and gives back much love in return. According to Ruby he's the best dog in South Australia but she's not biased of course. When I asked how they felt about Ricky when he came to them the answer was simple and to the point, "Better than having a baby." replied Ruby.
Guide and Therapy Dogs cost a great deal of money to train but at least Ricky has managed to get some of that money back. Each year on Badge Day, Alf takes him to the local shopping centre to assist in raising funds and every year they have participated they have collected between five and six hundred dollars. Ricky is a star attraction at the shopping centre where many people know him.
One day while sitting with Alf waiting for Ruby to do the shopping a lady approached Ricky and asked if her child could pat Ricky. Alf nodded his agreement and the child full of smiles began to pat and stroke Ricky under the guidance from Alf. Ricky like most other dogs enjoys plenty of attention but he did notice that the human pup was doing a great deal of dribbling, in fact the child's face was covered.
Ricky being a fastidious and self-respecting dog solved the dribble problem with three quick strokes from his tongue to the squeals of glee from the child and the amazement of the mother.
I'm not sure that Ricky is being used the way that he was intended. When a Therapy dog is given to a home the idea is for it to mingle with all the residents who would benefit from the contact. I suspect that Ricky being one of the early Therapy Dogs, the Matron of the home was not sure how the system operates and being a busy person delegated the responsibility for Ricky's welfare to Alfred and Ruby.
Alfred and Ruby know and understand that Ricky belongs to the home and freely share Ricky but of course Ricky has identified both of them as master and mistress.
Whatever the case, they are a delightful couple who have
a beautiful relationship with each other and with so much love to spare for Ricky. I wish all three of them well.
©Paul Springthorpe, Media Production Services. Extracted from ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’ 1990. All rights reserved.
There have been times in my life when I have met new people that you instantly know you are going to hit it off. You seem to get the message from the warmth of their welcome and relaxed friendly atmosphere of their home, so it was with Alfred and Ruby Blake.
All of my life I have been attracted to people a lot older than myself because they always have such wonderful stories to tell. All you have to do is be prepared to listen which is something the young of every successive generation have found hard to do because when you are young and full of confidence you believe you know everything.
Alfred and Ruby Blake have retired to spend their golden years at an aged care complex called Alambi in the Adelaide suburb of Glengowrie. They live in a neat tidy unit which is full of interesting memorabilia of their shared life.
Reverend Blake has led an interesting life, even at one point admitting the he was a devil, a printer’s devil that is. Apprenticed to a printer from the age of fourteen he worked hard at his trade until at the age of twenty eight he decided it was time to go out on his own. A person who had promised to sell him a printing machine backed out on the agreement at the last minute with the excuse that they were trying to keep back yarders out of the business.
Undeterred, Alfred built his own machine and developed his business but as that began to grow he realized that he was heading toward the ministry. In 1939 he became a full time student of the ministry his life’s course set in the service of God and the people. In 1952 he accepted a captaincy to escort a ship load of migrants from Great Britain to Australia on the SS New Australia. He'd travelled to England on SS Cameronia which had collected troops from Singapore and Hong Kong. When he arrived in Great Britain he had a seven week wait for his ship during which time he took the time to travel and meet people where he says he was treated like, "The top brick of the chimney".
He spent 12 years at a church in Parhan in Victoria where he and his wife became the proud owners of Kim, a Boarder Collie X Blue Heeler who was brought up never to bark on a Sunday. Kim also took it upon him self to wait at the porch door and shake hands with each of the parishioners when they arrived and left.
In 1959 Alfred received a call to the church in Henley Beach, then fortunately for South Australia he received further calls to Port Pirie and Keith where both he and his wife enjoyed country life immensely. In 1977 they retired to Alambi and when I asked why retire in South Australia instead of returning to Victoria Reverend Blake answered with,"I guess I'd eaten too many crows". For the benefit of those that don't know, South Australians are known as Crow Eaters.
In 1989 the Matron of Alambi approached Alfred and Ruby and told them the home had been granted a Therapy dog and asked if they were prepared to look after him. They jumped at the chance and so Ricky became part of the family. Ricky is a Labrador who probably failed to test to become a Guide Dog because he loves to socialize with others of his kind, and once again, Ricky is well rounded and overweight.
Ricky is obviously loved and gives back much love in return. According to Ruby he's the best dog in South Australia but she's not biased of course. When I asked how they felt about Ricky when he came to them the answer was simple and to the point, "Better than having a baby." replied Ruby.
Guide and Therapy Dogs cost a great deal of money to train but at least Ricky has managed to get some of that money back. Each year on Badge Day, Alf takes him to the local shopping centre to assist in raising funds and every year they have participated they have collected between five and six hundred dollars. Ricky is a star attraction at the shopping centre where many people know him.
One day while sitting with Alf waiting for Ruby to do the shopping a lady approached Ricky and asked if her child could pat Ricky. Alf nodded his agreement and the child full of smiles began to pat and stroke Ricky under the guidance from Alf. Ricky like most other dogs enjoys plenty of attention but he did notice that the human pup was doing a great deal of dribbling, in fact the child's face was covered.
Ricky being a fastidious and self-respecting dog solved the dribble problem with three quick strokes from his tongue to the squeals of glee from the child and the amazement of the mother.
I'm not sure that Ricky is being used the way that he was intended. When a Therapy dog is given to a home the idea is for it to mingle with all the residents who would benefit from the contact. I suspect that Ricky being one of the early Therapy Dogs, the Matron of the home was not sure how the system operates and being a busy person delegated the responsibility for Ricky's welfare to Alfred and Ruby.
Alfred and Ruby know and understand that Ricky belongs to the home and freely share Ricky but of course Ricky has identified both of them as master and mistress.
Whatever the case, they are a delightful couple who have
a beautiful relationship with each other and with so much love to spare for Ricky. I wish all three of them well.
©Paul Springthorpe, Media Production Services. Extracted from ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’ 1990. All rights reserved.
