Little hobo's secret past
MANGO'S true story was revealed yesterday, when a woman came forward to claim ownership of the stray.
In a stunning account, Fraser Coast resident Gaye Ah Quay told of the heartbreak she felt for a pet that disappeared prior to Christmas.
She spoke of a dog that never had a home, a wild heart, blazing the pavements of Nanango in the South Burnett region.
Without name or identity, he fed from dumpsters on discarded scraps, anything he could find.
His home was under a lone tree on baron acreage.
Well known by Burnett dog catchers, Mango was eventually trapped and a plan hatched to find him a family.
"I was a trained compliance officer - dog catcher - with 10 years experience," Gaye said.
"Not too many touch your heart and this little guy did immediately." Gaye showed compassion where most hadn't.
Not wanting to see the stray alone at Christmas she made arrangements to adopt the dog, who by this stage was cowering in a concrete pound enclosure, timid and scared.
Working part time with the South Burnett Regional Council, Gaye knew Mango's had a better chance of finding family on the Fraser Coast.
She groomed dog whisperer Chris De Aboitiz as the man to rehabilitate the pet humanity almost forgot.
But before that could happen, Mango returned to old tricks.
He cleared a 1.6m high timber fence with all the vigour of an Alcatraz escapee, hungry to taste freedom after being starved of it for years.
He went back to the bush, and ended up at Gilston Rd.
Gaye read about Mango's adventures in the Chronicle and rushed to Scarness Veterinary where he had been taken.
Together with the Surgery's Dr Greg Podger they mapped out a rehabilitation plan for Mango.
Dr Podger has vaccinated, de-sexed and treated the dog free of charge.
On Monday Mango will travel to Dog Whisperer Chris De Aboitz's property for treatment.
And if all goes well a local family will adopt the rogue - providing, that is, he doesn't escape.
