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Berenice
From the AWM site; image out of copyright and in the public domain. "Bushie" and his "saddle" in the foreground. He was taken over by either 573 A Morey or 568 J.Morey of the 3rd Victorian Bushmen.
Regards
IL.

Fantastic photo! Thanks very much, IL.

Since Bushie is wearing his 'saddle,' was the photo taken before the Bushmen sailed for South Africa? I can't see how his saddle could have survived all his adventures, particularly being held by the Boers.

Berenice
Since the rifles shown carried by the VB in the photo were Martini Enfield .303" - and the contingent were armed with .303" MLE rifles upon arrival in South Africa - my strong guess is that the photo was taken in Victoria prior to departure. I think "Bushie" would have somehow contrived to rid himself of his "saddle" as soon as he could. No dog IL has ever known would put up with the indignity of the "saddle" for very long at all.
Regards
IL.

This thread reminded me of the very rational decision recorded in the Important Decisions Book

djb wrote: This thread reminded me of the very rational decision recorded in the Important Decisions Book

...."Jock," the regimental dog of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, now at Windsor, wears attached to his collar the South African medal, with a bar for each of the following engagements at which he was present: - Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. "Jock," who is reported always to have barked at a Boer, invariably followed the battalion into action. He joined the regiment in South Africa in November, 1899, and returned with the men to England in 1902.
Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday 19th May 1903

A correspondent, commenting on the paragraph which went the rounds of the Press on Saturday with regard to the adventures of the pet dog of the Cheshire Regiment, writes us to point out that "the dog originally introduced himself to the Cheshire Regiment at Aldershot during the battalion's temporary sojourn there, and surreptitiously conveyed in the train by the men of that battalion to the port of embarkation. It was many times ousted from on board the Britannic, and as the vessel cleared its moorings it was observed on the quay, a solitary specimen of the canine creation, looking disconsolately and piteously in the direction of the moving steamer. Not to be outdone in patriotism it plunged into the water, and by the Commander's order was hauled on board. It had not any connection with the Leinsters, who were not contemporaries of the Cheshires at Modder River, where the dog went astray. Howbeit, some stragglers of the Cheshires who entered Kimberley on February 27th came across the identical "pet" looking exceedingly well, and boasting for its master a corporal of the Yorkshire Light Infantry. As it appeared quite happy and contented in its canvas home, and as it had installed itself in the good graces of the "King's Own," who were loath to part with it, The Cheshires did not urge its restoration. Therefore the story connecting the dog with the peculiar whistle of the Leinsters is a highly seasoned fallacy."

Cheshire Observer, Saturday 24th November 1900