Hello Salt Family,

As most of you groovy humans who rock the Salt brand may have noticed, there's a Salt Doggo printed or subtly embroidered onto your favourite garment.

This is not just a dog.

This is an Australian Cattle Dog, or Blue Heeler.

His name was Storm, and he gave us 16 years of dedication.

Why a Heeler?

But why a Heeler? Why choose one breed above another?

I truly believe that in most cases our dogs choose us. They come into our lives at different times and seem to fill a space that needs to be occupied, be that the lifestyle or emotional space we're in at the time.

Tadj had watched a surf video featuring Mick Fanning. He had a Heeler or Kelpie, and that was that!

It made perfect sense.

Stormy matched our froth for life and every opportunity for adventure.

He even got to meet Mick at the J-Bay Pro.

Early one morning on finals day, we were entering the keyhole at Supers before the heats started. Stormy would always see us down to the water's edge before hanging out, waiting for us to finish our sesh.

Mick was super stoked to see a Cattle Dog, acknowledged Tadj's choice and took it as a good omen.

We traded waves and took in a classic winter sunrise at Supers.

Mick got into the final heat and was looking good on the scorecard until an unwelcome encounter with a White Shark brought the heat to an abrupt end.

A Solid Mate Forever

Heelers are an incredibly challenging breed.

They are strong-willed, individual and independent, but need good leadership. In short, they are a full-time job.

No leaving the house for the day, even if they have two acres to play on. They will entertain themselves, and you probably won't appreciate their form of self-entertainment.

Give them a job and responsibility, and you have a solid mate forever.

Because Cattle Dogs require attention and patience, we have learned all of these things in return.

To be mindful of the average lifespan of a dog is to be reminded of how precious every moment is.

To be kind.

To be keen.

To only say YES!

The lessons they leave us are monumental.

It was easy for Storm to become our chief Brand Ambassador, and for Kei to follow in his paw prints.

Rock This Life

The love we all share for the mountains, the land, the rivers and the ocean is something we are privileged to get out into every day.

When you see the Salt Doggo on your garment, give it a rub, smile and think to yourself:

How can I rock this life with everything I have?

Yours in Yes,

Wojt
The Salt Ballie