The expression ''never work with children and animals'' was given a serious workout at the Australian War Memorial on Friday afternoon when officials called a press conference to promote Sunday's ''Of Animals In War'' commemoration.
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Rajah, a golden retriever which attends the Last Post ceremony most nights with his owner and veteran, Michael Savage-Morton, and Copper, a horse from the Australian Light Horse Association provided by Phil Chalker, were joined by pigeons supplied by Peter D'Arcy of the Canberra Racing Pigeon Combine.
Golden retrievers are bird dogs from way back and as soon as Rajah spotted the pigeons he was hooked. His main interest was in whether to have them with, or without, sauce.
This resulted in a degree of visible apprehension in the pigeon coop. When Mr D'Arcy presented one of the birds, breech first to prevent any unhappy accidents, to AWM director Dr Brendan Nelson, the small grey creature initially appeared to be planning a quick getaway.
This was not the case. When, acting on the shouted instructions and unsolicited advice of the media scrum, Dr Nelson gently tossed his feathered friend into the air, it reach the great height of about 1.5 metres, flapped its wings once or twice and then touched down on the memorial steps and began to look for something to eat.
Mr D'Arcy then encouraged it to fulfil the terms of the promised photo op by waving his arms and stamping his feet until it flew off towards Yass. Its home, sad to say, is actually in Queanbeyan.
''They orient themselves once they get into the air,'' we were assured.
Dr Nelson cited the incident as evidence there would be no shortage of a ''unscripted moments'' when the main event takes place on Sunday.
With animal owners invited to bring their pets along for the occasion, on the proviso they are leashed and well behaved, it will be a day the likes of which the memorial has never seen before.
That said, C.E.W. Bean could hardly disapprove. The official war historian documented the work of horses and camels in the war effort and helped immortalise the story of Simpson and his donkey.
Dr Nelson rejected any suggestion Sunday's eventwas a gimmick. ''For someone to say that, they cannot have read much about the war and the contribution these animals have made,'' he said.
Animals still play a major role in battle. Dogs have used their noses to save dozens of lives in Afghanistan where they have been remarkably successful in sniffing out IEDs.
Sarbi, the army dog that went missing during the action which resulted in a Victoria Cross for Mark Donaldson, will be on her second visit to the memorial on Sunday.
Whole units, not just the handlers, become very attached to their dogs in Afghanistan.
Dr Nelson said it was important to remember what the animals that have served troops did, and still do. Australian War Memorial from 9.30am, Sunday. An all-day event.
