A working dog named Cheese has made a remarkable comeback after undergoing surgery to amputate a front leg. His owner, Antony Mulder, faced a tough decision when Cheese injured his foot. The veterinarian presented two options: amputation or euthanasia. "There was no way I was putting him down," Antony said.

Cheese, a yellow border collie, has been Antony's companion for six years. The dog was adopted as a puppy from Belyando, located about 400 kilometers southwest of Mackay in North Queensland. Antony named him Cheese after a friend remarked on the pup's color. "We do everything together, even if I'm not working," he said, mentioning their activities like checking cattle and putting out lick blocks.

Cheese made his competition debut at just under two years old. In 2022, he had a successful year, winning the Australian Novice Championship and competing at various events, including The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival. However, his winning streak ended when he injured his foot. "Unfortunately, he just got his foot stuck in the dog cage," Antony explained.

After surgery, Cheese surprised the veterinary staff by quickly adjusting to life with three legs. "He just staggered straight out, put his front leg in the middle, under his chest and balanced himself and he was away," Antony said. The veterinarians were amazed, stating they had never seen a dog recover so quickly after losing a leg.

Cheese spent six months recovering at home before returning to work with sheep and cattle. Antony noted that Cheese was still able to nip at troublesome animals, demonstrating his resilience. "I thought, 'nah mate, you can go back to trialling,'" he said.

Working dog trials, held across the country, test the ability of dogs and their handlers to guide cattle through obstacle courses. After a year of recovery, Cheese was ready to compete again at Lake Elphinstone, a venue Antony praised for its well-educated cattle.

Despite the challenges, Antony felt confident in Cheese's abilities as they faced 135 competitors. "When he goes quick, he's fine; when he slows down, he's just a little bit clunky, but it doesn't seem to worry him at all," he said.

After two runs, Cheese was tied for first place, leading to a tie-breaker. He emerged victorious, winning the championship. "It was pretty unreal — there was a little bit of emotion, I'm not going to lie, because we've been through a lot together," Antony said.

Cheese's win was especially meaningful for Antony's family, particularly for his 12-year-old daughter, who was thrilled to hear about the victory. Following the competition, Antony and Cheese celebrated their achievement with extra treats and some cold beverages. "He's a very special dog … one of those once-in-a-lifetime type of dogs," Antony remarked, reflecting on their journey together.