News

Dino dogs at Deni Ute Muster

By Daneka Hill

Oct 6, 2022

Dinkum Dinosaur Children’s Show entertainer James Sleight with his travel buddies Ruby and Baxter. When it comes to living on the road, Mr Sleight has done it all. His travel dog of choice is the Maltese x shih tzu. Photo by Daneka Hill

Only a handful of dogs made it to the 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.

Where are you from?

We’re from Perth, but Baxter and Ruby have been everywhere, from Alice Springs to Cairns. We spend eight months on the road. We go from Perth to the east coast, up to Queensland, across the top to Darwin, then down the middle and into Whyalla.

How are the shows going at the Deni Ute Muster?

It’s been going off. We’ve been having great shows — and even better, I got to see The Angels.

I think a lot of the younger generation didn’t realise who The Angels were.

Well, that certainly wasn’t me. I lived through that era and I knew exactly who they were. Although, I did that with the Hoodoo Gurus once. I thought, ‘who are these blokes?’ and every single song they played I was thinking ‘Christ, they sing this one!’

Ruby is the senior dog, while Baxter came along years later as a last-minute rescue. Photo by Daneka Hill

How old are Baxter and Ruby?

Ruby is nine years old. Baxter is six.

Are they much help?

Their only job is to keep an eye on everything. They are good watch dogs. Sometimes they will help me when I’m setting up the show by sitting on tarps so they don’t blow away in the wind.

Why Maltese x shih tzus?

You never ever run out of love around little dogs. If you’re feeling down or sad they’ll give you everything they have to make you feel better.

Have you always had little dogs?

We’ve had other breeds in the past — but we love these dogs. They are fluffy and who doesn’t love their cute faces? They are very good natured.

Crossing the Maltese and the shih tzu breeds creates a good-doing mix. The Maltese genetics eliminate the shih tzu’s short snout, boggly eyes and tendency for tear staining, while the shih tzu mellows out the snappy nature of the Maltese. Photo by Daneka Hill

Eight months is a long time to be living on the road.

November is when we head back home. We’ve still got about four more shows on this tour, then we’re off.

How do the dogs go?

They love the wide open spaces. We’re often camped up in empty showgrounds once the crowds have gone home and they are extremely good in those types of spaces. Baxter in particular loves to go to new places. As soon as we pull up somewhere he’s barking and wants to explore.