Best buds: The older John Hall with Oreo in one of the farm’s quad bikes.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Rising out of the farmland heading towards the Murray River is a scene you’d expect to see on the set of a Wild West blockbuster, or in the deserts of Mexico.
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However, Strathmerton’s Cactus Country is firmly in Goulburn Valley territory, and the farm’s two pooches will let you know about it.
Family set-up: John, Julie and Tarn Hall with Oreo and Prickle at Cactus Country. Photo: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
On a quieter day — or if you know who to ask — visitors to the farm can meet the beloved Prickle and Oreo, who are arguably the biggest characters on the property.
Oreo — named not just for the biscuit, but also for the Oreocereus cactus — is a two-year-old Australian shepherd, and is also the father of Prickle, a one-year-old Australian shepherd-cross-kelpie, who owner John Hall said was an absolute ball of energy.
Home sweet home: The entrance to Cactus Country in Strathmerton.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
John said he got Oreo for the family — his parents John and Julie and sister Sarah — just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, while Prickle was slightly less planned.
“The neighbour’s kelpie got out of their six-foot high fence while she was on heat and we found them together,” he said.
The neighbours were selling both their property and — because they were moving into town — their highly energetic kelpie, with the kelpie finding a new home with the neighbours at the other side of Cactus Country.
Sweet prince: Oreo, an Australian shepherd, alongside some cacti.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“The neighbours who adopted her took her in with pups, I think they were quite happy about it — they made some profit,” John said with a laugh.
“We took one of the pups as payment for Oreo’s hard work.”
The result of that hard work, Prickle, is a handful.
“He’s energetic, when you’re out on the quad bike he’s running ahead of you,” John said.
Big smile: Oreo gives the camera a big grin while his son Prickle sneaks into the background.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“He gets jealous for pats, but he gets so excited that he wriggles too much and you can’t pat him.
“As for Oreo, he’s chilled out and relaxed and got mirrored blue and brown eyes and you just get lost in them.
“They’re totally different, but when they’re both exhausted they’ll both nap at my feet. They’re great dogs.”
Sun’s out, tongues out: Oreo and Prickle wandering side-by-side.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Prickle has lived up to his name on the farm, too, hunting rabbits living below cacti. Or rather, trying to.
“He ended up with prickles all through his nose and we had to take him to the vet ... he didn’t do that again in a hurry,” John said.
He said the duo was a godsend during lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, helping “lift the spirits” with their unconditional love to the Hall family on Cactus Country.
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