Yinti, Desert Dog

New Edition

The second book in the Yinti series of three books. The stories are linked in a sequence that shows Yinti’s development from a young bushie to a competent station worker and adult. When the dingo, Spinifex, is taken from her mother, she expects to be killed. Instead she is adopted and becomes a prized hunting dog. She eventually accompanies her human family, including Yinti, on their journey through the Great Sandy Desert. When Yinti leaves the desert, Spinifex goes with him. Based on stories, told to Pat Lowe by Jimmy Pike, about a dog who lived with his family in the desert during the 1940s and early 1950s.

Paperback 64 pages

Jimmy Pike (deceased) was born near Japingka, a waterhole in the Great Sandy Desert, in about 1940, and his early years were spent as a hunter and gatherer. He walked out of the desert when he was 14-years-old when his family moved to a Kimberley cattle station and became a stockman. He spent a number of years in prison where he took up painting and soon became a well-known artist and earned his living through his art. Today, his prints and paintings hang in galleries throughout the world.

Pat Lowe was born and grew up in England but dreamed of migrating to Australia, which she did in 1972. She worked as a teacher in Africa and as a prison psychologist in Australia, but writing has always been her passion. She met Jimmy Pike in 1979 and a few years later set up camp with him in the desert. What followed was a collaboration with Jimmy on a number of books. She also worked with Jukuna Mona Chuguna and Ngarta Jinny Bent on their stories. She now spends her time in Broome.