Fifteen years ago I wrote an article for the Narrandera Argus about one of our local heroes called Dolly.

At the time, she had been doing her good deeds for close to two years.

Many people who have had family or friends at the Narrandera Nursing Home would fondly remember Dolly for her work and dedication to staff and residents alike.

She held many different positions and took her role very seriously.

In the mornings she would do her rounds and make sure everyone was comfortable, then she would hang around the foyer and greet any visitors or new arrivals with a wag of her tail. 

You see, Dolly is a fox terrier.

Well, heroes come and heroes go and I presumed after so many years Dolly would have joined all the other hero dogs in canine heaven, but this was not the case.

That wonderful lady that did so much for so many is still with us.

Now aged 20, or 140 in dog years, Dolly has travelled on a few road trips around Australia with her adopted parents, Paul and Lyn Maloney.

I recently went to Paul and Lynn’s home to meet up with Dolly and to find out how life has been for her in the 15 years since we last met.

A keen caravaner, Dolly is packed and ready the minute the steps go down on the caravan.

Cairns in North Queensland was a real adventure even though she wasn’t impressed with the humidity and cane toads.

The first time she saw the ocean was a bit embarrassing for her. After hiking to the top of some steep sand dunes, Dolly had her first glimpse of what seemed to be a never-ending river.

Her reaction was to squat, widdle and run the other way.

These days Dolly spends her time looking after Paul who hasn’t been in the best of health of late and the bond they both share brought a tear to my eyes.

She has her own seat on his mobility scooter and loves to go for a burn to the corner and back.

Blind in one eye hasn’t stopped her from doing what she’s done all her life.

Dolly has a unique gift of caring and showing compassion to people who are infirm or frail.

After 10 years at the nursing home and 10 years in retirement, Dolly is soldiering on.

She puts her longevity down to the excellent care of our local Mivet staff who have taken care of her health requirements since day one at no expense. 

Dolly, we salute you.