While their move to the country and switch to the truffle
industry has been a steep learning curve, they have embraced
the local comthe local commmunity and lifestyle. “It’s a really nice friendly unity and lifestyle. “It’s a really nice friendly
town,” adds Mtown,” adds Mel. “Brin can go outside and I don’t have to el. “Brin can go outside and I don’t have to
worry about himworry about him. H. He’s very good with the dogs and he loves e’s very good with the dogs and he loves
going to the orchard and watching themgoing to the orchard and watching them dig up truffles.” dig up truffles.”
Initially, MInitially, Mel’s scent-association training with her dogs el’s scent-association training with her dogs
is relatively quick —is relatively quick — usually within a few weeks — usually within a few weeks — but it but it
takes mtakes much longer for themuch longer for them to develop their work ethic and to develop their work ethic and
becombecome reliable in a come reliable in a commmercial sense. Hercial sense. Her dogs are part er dogs are part
of the famof the family and somily and some work up to five days a week with Me work up to five days a week with Mel el
during peak truff le season. during peak truff le season.
“They enjoy the work; when I com“They enjoy the work; when I come to the ute I have six dogs e to the ute I have six dogs
wanting to jumwanting to jump in the back. But for the rest of the year they p in the back. But for the rest of the year they
are our pets,” she says. “Ware our pets,” she says. “Working together with Gavin on the orking together with Gavin on the
farmfarm is a lot different to the lifestyle we both had working is a lot different to the lifestyle we both had working
separate jobs in Perth. I couldn’t ask for a better environmseparate jobs in Perth. I couldn’t ask for a better environment ent
to raise a famto raise a family and I wouldn’t change it for the world.” ily and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
For mFor more informore information, visit australiantruff letraders.comation, visit australiantruff letraders.com
or truff ledogswa.comor truff ledogswa.com.au.auPE OPE OPL E PL E MMA NA NJ IMJ IMUUP WP WAA
98 COU NTRY ST Y LE JUNE 2017
Mel with Rani and Gator out in
the plantation. the plantation. FACING PAGE, FACING PAGE,
CLOCKWCLOCKWISE, FROMISE, FROM TOP LEFT TOP LEFT
The Booths’ dogs are all rehomThe Booths’ dogs are all rehomed ed
—— a m a mix of rescue and ex-Customix of rescue and ex-Customs s
dogs. Rani is 15 years old; a dogs. Rani is 15 years old; a Quercus Quercus
ilex, ilex, or holmor holm oak tree; Viva, 15, loves oak tree; Viva, 15, loves
attention and was originally trained attention and was originally trained
to be a prison dog; Brin exploring the to be a prison dog; Brin exploring the
yard; Briony, one of the six Highland yard; Briony, one of the six Highland
cowcows. “They are purely ornams. “They are purely ornamental. ental.
MMel loves themel loves them,” says Gavin; from,” says Gavin; from the the
humhumble canvas bag to restaurants ble canvas bag to restaurants
around the world. “Maround the world. “Mel and I work el and I work
well as a teamwell as a team and we both quite and we both quite
enjoy the hard work of trufflenjoy the hard work of truffle e
farmfarming,” says Gavin.ing,” says Gavin.