We picked up our car in Newcastle, then headed south and west toward the outlying suburb of Emu Heights, skirting the edge of Sydney and avoiding the worst of the motor vehicle traffic. The wooded slopes have been gouged away in places to allow roads and tracks to pierce directly through the mountains rather than climbing over or circling around. Emerging onto more level ground around Sydney, we found that the scene quickly changed from wilderness to suburban sprawl. Sydney has a population of several million, but unlike most American cities, which boast much larger populations, the growth has occurred in an outward rather than upward direction. Even apartment dwelling is a fairly recent development.
Residences tend to be individual units, just one-story in height.
Sydney s many suburbs extend across an area nearing 40 miles in diameter and growing larger each day. It seemed a miracle that we were being given the adorable, delicate little black miniature dachshund, who had cuddled close to us after a few minutes of shyness when we first met. I did not think I wanted another dog right away. But Rob thought it would be good for me to have a new friend to keep me company in my new country when he could not be with me. I began a search on the Internet, checking different breeds of dogs that are available in this country.