A little back story to one of our Maremmas, Hiccup.
Sadly, we lost two old Maremma dogs close to each other many years ago, they were a good team. She was the brains, and he was the brawn!
The Maremma search begins
So, the search for another Maremma, something I don’t really enjoy. Most Maremma dogs we have, are rehomes or rescues.
Well, I found one at Blacktown pound, but before I could organise a visit, she had gone rescue status and they wouldn’t let me view her, so I kept looking. But, as I was on the Central Coast visiting, it was suggested to phone again and chat with the pound.
Thankfully, the pound agreed to allow me to view her. I requested I wear my farm boots in. I saw a white frightened lump of fur shaking in the corner. The two members of the pound told me the little they knew of her, still not sure of her age.
In a moment, she ran and lay on my boots, still very nervous.
With lots of gentle talk and smooth pats she let me put a collar and lead on her. She allowed me to walk her, with her body pushing hard in on my leg. Something the pound workers had been unable to do.
I asked if we could walk her nearby some animals to see her response.
She ignored most and only glanced at a cat that jumped across her path.
The process of desexing her and having a lump removed from her belly was organised.
Headed for home
I picked her up from the vets and tied her in the back seat!
Well, by the time I was at Hornsby she had chewed though the lead, and had her head over my shoulder!
So, we made a quick stop into family to grab a chain. Now ready for the drive home!
She was a nervous little girl. The pound said she was about 3 years old… they think!
As to her name… that’s another story, but let’s say she had a hiccup in life!
Getting to know each other
So, the slow process of finding out what she’s like!
We found out she liked feathers… so the chickens had to go or be kept out of her reach. The guinea fowl were OK if they stayed out of her area, a few didn’t. 
She tolerated the goats and both animals learnt to live with each other.
There was one issue that I hadn’t expected… She didn’t bark!
That’s what I needed her for!
Maremmas bark to claim their territory, and we have wild dogs in the area.
One night she barked! We all came running, can’t remember what it was but that was the start of her claiming her mountain!
We had a short toggle rope off her collar, as she would snap if you held her by the collar. Not sure what happened to her in the past.
The Protector
One night, a neighbour drove up and jumped out of his ute… I yelled out… “She’s a rescue, stand still!” He’s not afraid of dogs, but he stood still. She was beside him with a “don’t move” bark and growl. That was the first we had seen of that ‘real’ Maremma protector!
We learnt she loved children. Though I was always cautious, because of her neck area issues.
Kidding time was an eye opener to her caring side! She wanted to clean all the kids, to the extent of not letting the mothers near them. But with time and patience she settled. She was definitely a maternal girl.
So, the years passed, and she fitted in, and more rehomed Maremmas came. She was boss of food, but not boss dog.
As she aged, she liked to give little barks near my bedroom window to tell the younger ones to bark at…? Who knows what Maremmas bark at!
In this last year she was still spending time in the kidding paddock (without the mumma goats in there), going for walks with the goats and down to the creek. But I noticed she was slowing down. So, time to check her age? If the pound guesstimate was correct, she would be 11 very soon.
Oh! Time to look for another desexed female (hopefully working) Maremma to rehome and add to my team.
Yes, I have found one and she is here now! She’s had her first day walking in the kids’ paddock, still a little nervous but not interested in the kids… that’s a good sign. She had been with chickens. How will she go with a change over to goats? Time and patience will tell!
Saying “goodbye”
But my old girl Hiccup has fallen asleep, not to wake up anymore. It’s very sad. The day before she had been with me to feed the kids and walk to the creek. Her breathing was a little laboured in the morning, so I suggested she stay. I gave her a few extra pats throughout the day and knew she wasn’t the best, but her tail wagged, and she was up and about looking for the coolest spots. When I went out to feed her, she was asleep near my window… too asleep. 
Goodbye Hiccup.
She is sadly missed.
Our new girl has big shoes to fill.
Hiccup