About Beverley Rutland-Manners
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"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." William Penn
I believe that we are stewards of God's creatures and this carries with it a meaningful and precious responsibility. Since I was a child I have been aware of my close bond with animals and my God-given gift to communicate with them on a deeply intuitive level. From the time I was a teenager, I have reached out to animals in need, in the only way I knew how...one paw and one hoof at a time. As I grew older I was able to do much more, with the help of a supportive and animal loving husband, years until I lost him to cancer in 2008.
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Beverley Rutland-Manners
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Media hype about Labradoodle Guide Dogs in the early years started a boom in their popularity in Australia. There were no registry bodies for them until my daughter Mellodie and I founded the LAA, and lots of unscrupulous people looking to cash in, sold all manner of different cross bred puppies representing them as "hypoallergenic" Labradoodles and safe for those with allergies. Hardly anyone knew what they looked like there being no internet back then so people were sitting ducks to be scammed.
Mellodie (now Woolley) and I spent a lot of time checking pet shops and private advertisers to caution them about misrepresenting their 'anything goes' puppies as being hypoallergenic Labradoodles. It was before the development of the Miniatures, and even when some puppies actually were Labradoodles, unsuspecting families found themselves with huge dominant natured dogs they couldn't control. This resulted in the shelters becoming full of dumped and abandoned Labradoodle dogs across the country. |
When I set up the first Labradoodle Rescue in the world, long before rescues were established as organisations in Australia, it was simply a natural progression from the years I had spent in personal horse rescue and in the rehabilitation of abused dogs and horses who came into my life for a reason. This has always been a non-funded labour of love, with its greatest reward knowing that I have had the awesome privilege of giving some of God's creatures a second chance. I sold some of them and gave others away, when they were healed and were ready to take up the threads of their broken lives again, but I knew that they came into my life for healing of their body and spirit. And it was not a one way street.
My grandmother Josie in 1914
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The apple didn't fall far from the tree. This was my grandmother Josie on a sheep station (sheep ranch) in Australia in 1914. A young lass with a pioneering and adventuresome spirit, she traveled alone on a ship from Ireland to Australia to escape the Irish conflict in her family between the Orange and the Greens. Quite an escapade in the time when young ladies didn't even venture into town without an escort!
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'Rutland' (Grafenburg Just So) at 10 months, the last GSD I bred, sitting behind his mother, Grafenburg Maedel. My kennel prefix 'Rutlands' is in tribute to this wonderful dog.
When I was 27 years old I was in a car accident that changed my life forever
At first I thought that my serious injuries were the worst thing that could have happened to me, but over time I came to realise that it was a stop sign which gave me time to reflect on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life which I was extremely blessed not to have lost in the accident. For a couple of years I had trouble walking and in carrying out the most simple of daily activities. It was the companionship and help of my German Shepherd Dogs that gave me my first glimpse into the world of the Assistance Dog and the amazing role they play in the lives of people with a disability.
I realized later that what I had looked on as being a tragedy had in reality been preparing me with an in-depth understanding for my future calling; to develop a healthy dog breed exquisitely designed for Assistance and Therapy work. This calling was realized when my daughter inspired me to co - develop the Australian Labradoodle and then years later after the Labradoodle suffered from the effects of over popularity I expanded my dream and the Australian Cobberdog was born and in January 2012, was officially recognized as a Pure Breed in advanced development
At first I thought that my serious injuries were the worst thing that could have happened to me, but over time I came to realise that it was a stop sign which gave me time to reflect on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life which I was extremely blessed not to have lost in the accident. For a couple of years I had trouble walking and in carrying out the most simple of daily activities. It was the companionship and help of my German Shepherd Dogs that gave me my first glimpse into the world of the Assistance Dog and the amazing role they play in the lives of people with a disability.
I realized later that what I had looked on as being a tragedy had in reality been preparing me with an in-depth understanding for my future calling; to develop a healthy dog breed exquisitely designed for Assistance and Therapy work. This calling was realized when my daughter inspired me to co - develop the Australian Labradoodle and then years later after the Labradoodle suffered from the effects of over popularity I expanded my dream and the Australian Cobberdog was born and in January 2012, was officially recognized as a Pure Breed in advanced development
After twenty five enforced years out of the saddle, I hungered to ride horses again, but I had lost my fitness my balance and my nerve. Before venturing onto a real live horse I had the next best thing imported from America - The Equicizer, made by ex jockey Frank Lovejoy. I called him "Mate" and I practiced mounting and dismounting from him and riding him until I regained my confidence.
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Then I found the equine love of my life, Yulgilbar Pablo, a pure bred Australian Quarter Horse who had suffered before he came to me, but he had a beautiful spirit. Maybe that was why.
Pablo understood my incapacity and in turn, I learned to 'ride with my mind' rather than using physical exertion to guide and control him. This inspired my slogan " the meeting of the minds" for training horses and dogs.
Together, Pablo and I gave performances when I rode him without a bridle (no bit in the horse's mouth) at Expos, Pony Club rallies and other public events, as an inspiration to others, especially those with disabilities ,to demonstrate the bond of co operation and mutual understanding which is possible, between human beings and animals.
Pablo understood my incapacity and in turn, I learned to 'ride with my mind' rather than using physical exertion to guide and control him. This inspired my slogan " the meeting of the minds" for training horses and dogs.
Together, Pablo and I gave performances when I rode him without a bridle (no bit in the horse's mouth) at Expos, Pony Club rallies and other public events, as an inspiration to others, especially those with disabilities ,to demonstrate the bond of co operation and mutual understanding which is possible, between human beings and animals.
Early morning rehearsal at the Expo
In 1993 Agmedia, a division of Daratech Pty Ltd. published a children's novel I had written - 'Moonraker Chest of Gold' ( ISBN 0 7306 3017 X ) a fiction with its underlining educational theme, designed to help children understand the way that horses think and the kindest and most thoughtful ways to interact with them.
My little book found its way into school libraries and was noticed by Channel Seven TV studios in Melbourne Australia. This led to an invitation to perform as an attraction at the Expo. |
Riding for a channel 7 TV documentary
Pablo & me at the book Expo promo
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Channel 7 promoted my book on its TV program "Talk To The Animals" and featured my journey with Pablo, including footage of me riding him without a bridle.
This caught the attention of well known Veterinarian and Television presenter Dr Harry Cooper www.saxton.com.au/speakers/harry-cooper , and Pablo and I demonstrated bridle-less riding at Channel 7's 'Talk To The Animals' Expo held at Caulfield racecourse in Melbourne in 1993, where we were billed as 'Pablo The Wonder Horse'.
This caught the attention of well known Veterinarian and Television presenter Dr Harry Cooper www.saxton.com.au/speakers/harry-cooper , and Pablo and I demonstrated bridle-less riding at Channel 7's 'Talk To The Animals' Expo held at Caulfield racecourse in Melbourne in 1993, where we were billed as 'Pablo The Wonder Horse'.
With TV presenter/veterinarian Dr Harry at the Talk to the Animals Expo
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Pablo wearing the gorgeous Expo rug. I wanted to take it home!
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Pablo and I demonstrated riding without a bridle, at Channel 7's 'Talk to The Animals' Expo held at Caulfield racecourse Melbourne 1993. This was to share the wonderful way in which human minds can connect with horses in sweet harmony and without force. We also went to Pony Clubs across the State, to do bridle-less riding demonstrations for the kids, and Channel 7 Studios featured us in a TV documentary aired on their TV show "Talk to the Animals".
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The miracle of new life has always inspired me especially the study of genetic bloodlines and working to improve and strengthen lines of the animals I have bred. Over the years I have bred Stud Angus cattle, Dorper and Wiltshire sheep, Angora goats, Dogs and Quarter Horses, always with the focus on providing animals of outstanding quality and temperament, to enrich people's lives as well as their own.
I firmly believe that the love we breathe into a young animal from the time of its birth, ignites its senses to an awareness of its welcome into the world.
I firmly believe that the love we breathe into a young animal from the time of its birth, ignites its senses to an awareness of its welcome into the world.
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I loved the trusting way mares brought their newborn foals to meet me
Angus cows at dawn. Rutland Manor 2005
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Ewes brought their babies to eat from my hands
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Some precious moments I was fortunate enough to capture on my camera as a mare gives birth to, and greets her first born - a filly foal. This was in the days before the internet and video cameras were big bulky things and very heavy! This kind of thing wasn't seen too often, and I was excited as a kid at Christmas as I swapped between video camera and still camera taking photos.
I laugh now, when I remember how I held my breath in awe as I videoed the birth too, only to find later that I had no film in the movie camera! Thankfully, technology has come a long way since those days and so have I!
I laugh now, when I remember how I held my breath in awe as I videoed the birth too, only to find later that I had no film in the movie camera! Thankfully, technology has come a long way since those days and so have I!