What a life. Jumping in the bird bath or a half barrel of water and splashing to your heart’s content. Or having a good go at the hose while your owner is trying to water the garden or roaming through a property that dedicates itself to producing premium wine beneath the Mornington Peninsula sky.  

Welcome to the world of Sarlee, who lives with Julie and John Trueman at Myrtaceae Winery in Red Hill. Named after the couple’s favourite champagne, Lassalle, from France, this long-haired Jack Russell terrier with short legs loves to get up to a bit of mischief. She’s smart, energetic but likes to take it slow in the mornings. The afternoons are made for moving and meeting as many people as possible.  

Julie explains: “Sarlee is almost three and very affectionate. She’s always following me around while I’m doing vineyard work. She’s never far behind. We’ve always had Jack Russells. Chanel, Holly and Coco used to chase the foxes away and pull the nets to shake the birds off. We are still training Sarlee, who sits at the door like a concierge to greet our visitors. That’s if she hasn’t already run to the carpark to usher them down to the cellar door. Our son was about four years old when we got our first Jack Russell. John wasn’t really a dog person at first but every one of them had a gravitational pull towards him, but not Sarlee. She’s my shadow.”

This gentle and lovable pooch has never been off the property and is not allowed in the top vineyard. She also knows not to venture over the gravel road into the hinterland beyond. She starts the day with two biscuits in the morning and come evening after dinner she’s on the couch with Julie and John. Tough, hey?

Julie concludes: “Jack Russells are so clever. Sarlee is a great guard dog when she needs to be and the rest of the time she’s everybody’s friend. Kids just love her because she is so gentle. She does pull out the stuffing from cushions, though.” Well, nobody’s perfect, right?

LIZ ROGERS